Chapter 1: The Greatest Discovery

“Hello..? Are you alright..?”

The words echoed inside his mind as he began to regain consciousness. He slowly sat up, rubbing his forehead as he tried to recollect what had happened. He then remembered a strange light, a loud boom, a dark forest, a lavender unicorn, with dark blue mane and tail with pink and purple highlights, a star on its flank and a dragon.

“Oh good, you’re okay!” the voice said relieved.

“Hng! What a strange dream…” he said. He then chuckled. “Man, you won’t believe this! I dreamt I saw a talking purple…” He opened his eyes as he turned towards the sound of the voice, only to stare into the eyes of Twilight Sparkle. “…unicorn…”

He gasped as he pulled away from the lavender unicorn that loomed over him with concern in her eyes.

“Whoa! Take it easy! Don’t pass out on us again!”

He slowly got a grip on himself as he calmed down and took in his surroundings. It was no dream. He was REALLY in a forest, with a REAL talking unicorn and a REAL small purple dragon. It was REAL! He slowly turned towards Twilight and looked at her with confusion in his eyes.

“Who are you?!”

“Not again…” the little dragon facepalmed.

“Ugh! I already told you twice! My name is Twilight, Twi-light Spar-kle. This is Spike.” She nodded her head over to her little assistant. “And now, if it’s not too much trouble, who are you?”

The creature looked at them both. He still couldn’t believe what he was seeing or hearing, but there was no point in denying it. He took a deep breath before finally answering.

“Alex… My name is Alex.”

“Alright then… ‘Alex’. It’s good to see you’re okay. You really had us worried.” She sighed with relief. With the name learning out of the way, now came question number 2. “So, what are you? You are most certainly not a pony.”

“What? No I… I’m a human.” Said Alex rather hesitant, never taking his eyes of Twilight as she regarded him curiously.

“Human?!” Twilight exclaimed with confusion. She had read all there was about Equestrian wildlife and sapient beings, but never had she come across anything like that. “I’ve never heard of a human before. Where in Equestria are you from?”

“I… I’m not from Equestria (wherever that is). I’m from Earth.”

“Earth? Is that like, a country? A kingdom?”

“No… It’s a planet…”

“Planet? WAIT! You… You mean… You’re from another world?” Twilight asked bewildered with hint of excitement in her eyes. Never in her wildest dreams did she ever believe she would meet a creature from another world. The mere thought of a world outside of Equus sounded so absurd, and yet here was the proof. This made her smile greater than Pinkie Pie.
“Another PLANET! This is amazing! You got to tell me everything. What’s Earth like? Are all humans there as hairless as you? Do you have a princess? Maybe a king? Or queen? BOOKS! Do you have books? Of course you must have books! Can’t think of anypony that wouldn’t be without books… Gasp! Gasp!”

“Twilight… Breathe…” Spike tried to calm down his overexcited friend while he glanced at Alex with an apologetic smile. Alex just stared and didn’t say a word.

“Okay… Okay… Sorry about that…” Twilight smiled nervously as she sat down across from Alex. She eyed him with broad smile, which made him somewhat uncomfortable for some reason. “Please Alex, perhaps you could tell us how you got here?”

Alex felt relieved. He was never quite sure as to how he got to Equestria in the first place. It was something he really wanted to know himself, and hopefully this unicorn could help him. He decided to start from the beginning.

“Well… I guess you could say it happened quite sudden. I was just walking along, minding my own business…”

‘This is SO amazing!’ Twilight mentally squeed as she couldn’t help but stare at him with fascination. Before her was a human, an alien creature from another world. ‘Imagine the possibilities…’

As Alex tried to explain about what had happened, she started to envision herself at the Trotholm Hoofbel Committee, presenting her latest discovery to an ensemble of pony scientists and press…

~***~

…Ponies applauded and cameras flashed as the Chairmare of the Hoofbel Committee, Joèquine Hasbro, trotted out across the stage towards the podium.

“Fillies and Gentlecolts! Tonight, our very special guest, Twilight Sparkle of Ponyville, will present to us the greatest discovery in all of Equestria!” The very mention of Twilight’s name was met with cheers from her friends in the first row, especially Pinkie Pie, who bounced up and down with excitement. “And so, without further adieu , I present to you; Miss Twilight Sparkle!”

Cameras flashed as Twilight entered the stage. The Chairmare moved aside as she ascended the podium and beheld the vast audience. Calm and relaxed, she cleared her throat and spoke.

“Fillies and Gentlecolts! Today I unveil to you all the greatest discovery of our time!” She turned her head, her horn glowed and a large, covered cage suddenly appeared and was spotlighted. “Behold! The human!” She removed the coverings with her magic, revealing Alex as he stood there waving at the audience with a smile.
Gasps and awes were heard as cameras flashed and flickered. She smiled greatly as she was showered with applause and cheers.

“You’ve made a remarkable discovery my student!” Twilight turned her head and saw princess Celestia standing next to her. “I’m so proud of you!” she smiled.
Twilight blushed before suddenly feeling the hoof of the Chairmare tapping gently on her shoulder. She presented her with Equestria’s most esteemed award. She smiled happily as it was placed around her neck.

“Twilight Sparkle has won the Hoofbel Prize!”

Twilight’s smile was replaced with overwhelming joy as she began to hop around the stage exclaiming cheerfully as the Princess, the Chairmare and crowd looked on smiling.

“Yesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyes…”

~***~

“…yesyesyesyesyesyes-YES!!”

A confused Alex and Spike could only watch as Twilight for unexplained reasons bounced and jumped around them in ecstatic glee. Luckily, she soon realized what she was doing, stopped short in midair before placing her hooves back on the ground with an awkward smile.

“Is… Is she okay?” Alex asked Spike slightly worried.

“Twilight?”

Twilight looked at them both. She then turned her eyes on Spike and grabbed him. “Excuse us!” She said smiling at Alex as she pulled Spike into the nearest bush. It all happened so fast that Alex only sat there blinking a few times, wondering what was going on.

“Ow! Twilight! What are you…?”

“Sssh!” She hushed Spike; poking her head out of the bush a moment to make certain Alex was still in view. Darting back down, she pulled Spike close to her face with a huge smile on her face. “Spike, do you realize what we have here?” Spike shook his puffy lipped head. “A human, Spike! An alien visitor from beyond the realms of Equestria! Do you understand what this means?”

“No…”

“Fame! Recognition! A chance for me to earn my place among the Greats!” She released Spike and clopped her hooves together. “Think about it Spike! Think of the possibilities!”

Spike looked blankly at her before starting to envision what she was thinking. A mental image of Twilight appeared in his thoughts as a medal was placed around her neck by the Chairmare.

‘Twilight Sparkle has won the Hoofbel Prize!’

“Nah!” Spike shook his head and reimagined it again, only now with Twilight in a karate outfit.

‘Twilight Sparkle has won the Hoofbel Prize for KICKBUCKING!’

‘Hiyaa!’ Twilight bucked the Chairmare beside her.

Spike snickered a bit. Then he had another thought.

‘Spike the Dragon has won the Hoofbel Prize!’ The crowd cheered.

“Thank you, thank you!” Spike happily said bowing to the applauding public.

“SPIKE!” Twilight yelled, causing the dragon to snap out of his little daydream. He looked at Twilight with the look of embarrassment on his face as she frowned at him.

“Hehe… Sorry…” he chuckled. “What were we talking about?”

“Sigh! Spike! Alex is perhaps the most important discovery of all time.” She then rubbed her hooves together as a creepy smile crept across her face. “He’s going to make me famous. You have to help me get him back to Ponyville. Once there I’ll make the preparations ready for our trip to Trotholm.”

“Trotholm?”

“I can’t wait to show them Alex. They’ll be thrilled!”

Unbeknownst to the both of them, Alex had been eavesdropping on their less-than-silent conversation. He had grown suspicious of Twilight’s lack of interest in his problems, and seemed to be more interested in him in general. He listened closely from behind the bush as Twilight unveiled more of her plan.

“He’ll tell me everything I need to know. I’ll present him to the greatest minds of our time. They would like know everything about him too. Every last detail...”

Alex felt a chill down his spine. He had seen and read this type of thing before. This pony was going to show him off like some captured rare and exotic animal. He would then be placed in captivity, hidden away from the world with electrical lamps being the only source of light. He imagined himself being poked and probed by pony scientists as they tried to figure out how he ticked. He saw himself being subjugated to some of the most heinous and demeaning experiments imaginable.

‘What if it wasn’t enough?’ he thought. ‘What if they…’

He imagined himself strapped to a table, as a pony surgeon slowly approached him. Clumsily holding a scalpel...

‘No!’ he shuddered. This was not going to be his fate. While Twilight was busy regaling Spike with her plans, Alex snuck off into the woods, taking his chances with local wildlife. ‘You may be nice and all…’ he thought to himself as he looked back. ‘…but I’m not going to be a lab rat!’

“…And that’s what we’ll do. I tell you Spike, this is going to be the best year of my life! Squee!” She smiled happily while Spike mentally groaned. While he was happy for her, it meant a lot work for him. At that moment he looked passed her and his eyes widened. He then looked at Twilight. His eyes darted nervously back and forward as he struggled on how to break this to her.
“Now Spike, let’s get Alex to Ponyville. We’ll have to be quiet about this. Don’t want anypony to get the wind of this before the unveiling.”

“I think that’s going to be a problem…”

“Of course it won’t.” Twilight looked at him puzzling. “What makes you think that?”

“Because…” He pointed. Twilight looked behind her and her eyes went wide as saucers.

“GASP! HE’S GONE!?!” She exclaimed, taking the words right out of Spike’s mouth. She dashed out the bush and looked frantically around for him. “WHERE DID HE GO? WHERE DID HE GO??”

“I don’t know…” Spike emerged from the bush and was instantly grabbed by Twilight as she pressed her panicking face against his.

“We have to find him Spike!!” She dropped Spike and galloped into the woods. “You look over there! Let me know if you find him!” Spike picked himself up, groaned and walked the other way while beating the dust from his scales.

*****

Somewhere close by, Alex ran through the dark woods. Being unfamiliar with his new surroundings, he didn’t feel at all safe. The foliage was so dense and thick he had trouble finding his way through. Every so often he would hear unearthly creatures howl or growl somewhere in the darkness of the forest. He could tell these woods were filled with dangers, but he pushed that thought aside. As long as he was far away from that unicorn, he was safe as he could be.

Stopping one moment to catch his breath, Alex turned to see if anyone or anypony followed him. Seeing no one, he was about to continue forward, when he suddenly saw Twilight ahead of him. Alex quickly dived behind a tree as Twilight looked for him in every direction. Unable to find him, she trotted onward, her horn glowing intensely as she used it as a searchlight. As soon as she had disappeared from view, Alex drew a relieved sigh, until a certain purple dragon popped out of a bush next to him.

“TWILIGHT! HE’S OVER HERE!”

As Spike tried to make a grab for him, Alex immediately took off, causing Spike to trip and get tangled up in the bush. As Spike struggled to wrestle himself free, Alex had long since disappeared into forest. He ran as fast as he could, knowing every stop he made would bring Twilight down upon him. He hadn’t gotten far when Twilight, seemingly out of nowhere, appeared right in front of him, smiling victoriously.

“GOTCHA!”

Surprised, Alex quickly made a detour, never stopping as he heard her run after him. Being more agile, Alex managed to gain a great distance by slipping through the foliage with barely a scratch on him. Thinking he had finally outrun her, he suddenly found her standing ahead of him, waiting.

“DON’T RUN!”

He ignored her and tried running another direction, only to find it too blocked by Twilight as she seemed to appear out of thin air. He skidded to a halt and backtracked, only to see Twilight again stand in his way.

“This is impossible!” He said exhausted. “How can you be…?” He looked back the way he came and realized that Twilight had somehow been able to disappear and reappear at will. He then looked back at Twilight and noticed her horn glowed even more.

“I’m a unicorn.” she said with a smirk. “I master nearly all forms of magic…” She suddenly vanished and appeared behind Alex, startling him so that he fell to the ground. “…Even teleportation!”

Alex trembled with fear. This pony knew magic! It was real and she was using it! He watched as she slowly trotted over to him, smiling deviously, knowing all too well she had everything under control. Alex bolted up and tried to run away again. He had to get away. He had to!

“Time to end this…”

As Alex ran, he suddenly noticed something strange. He was running, but he wasn’t going anywhere. To make things even more strange, his feet weren’t touching the ground. He then noticed he was completely covered in a strange purple aura.

“Do you like my levitation spell?” Alex turned and saw Twilight standing behind him. As she tilted her head backwards, he was suddenly pulled back through the air, stopping only a foot away from her. “It’s really handy in capturing and retrieving humans that try to get away.” she said smiling with an almost evil tone in her voice, causing Alex to gulp.

Twilight mentally giggled. She didn’t mean to frighten Alex, but since he was being so stubborn she had to put some mental fear in him to make him compliant. Just then, she heard Spike as he walked up beside her, having fought off the last twig.

“Mission accomplished Spike!” She said happily as Spike jumped on her back. Using her horn, Alex helplessly floated behind her as she trotted back to Ponyville. “This has been really fun, but you have an engagement with the Trotholm Hoofbel Committee. Hoofbel Prize, here I come!”

As Twilight skipped through the forest with Spike on her back and Alex in tow, Alex pondered on a way to escape. He looked thoroughly at his predicament. He was a few feet above the ground, with no way of getting down unless the unicorn’s horn gave out. He sat down (in midair) as he thought of a way to get out of this.
He then noticed a branch that hung pretty low from a tree they were passing by. He slowly reached out his arms and made a grab for the branch. He succeeded and held on tight as the unicorn continued on her merry way completely unaware. Alex sighed with relief, until he felt himself being pulled. He quickly wrapped his arms tight around the branch and held on as he realized what was happening. He was still in Twilight’s spell!

“Huh?” Twilight suddenly had trouble moving. It seemed as if something was holding her back. She tried walking forward, digging her hooves into the ground, only to find herself skidding backwards. “What’s going on?”

Spike scratched his head and turned around. He then poked his claw at the back of Twilight’s head to get her attention. “Uh… Twilight.”

She looked back and saw to her surprise that Alex was far behind them. He had his arms wrapped thoroughly around the branch and holding on for dear life as he was being pulled towards Twilight.

“Hey!” Annoyed, she used her horn, increased her magic and tried to pull Alex loose from the branch. Alex could do nothing but hold on as the branch slowly began to bend in Twilight’s direction. Using all her strength, Twilight gritted her teeth and pulled as hard as she could. “Let go!”

CRACK!

Alex winced as he heard the branch break off. The strain had been too much, and it had finally given way by her magic. Still holding on, Alex shut his eyes as he was being pulled with great speed towards Twilight.

“Wha… Waitwait! STOP!!!”

CRASH!

Seconds later, Alex opened his eyes. He suddenly found himself lying on the ground. The purple aura was gone and he could move. Felling a bit dazed, he slowly got up and saw Twilight lying on the ground next to him. Next to her was the broken branch. He carefully approached her. Her eyes were twirling and seeing stars as she giggled and babbled incoherent nonsense. She had taken the full impact of the tree branch, knocking her out and breaking the spell that held him.
He then saw Spike lying on the ground as he too had taken quite a spill. His injuries however were less severe and he was starting to wake up. Seeing his chance, Alex dashed into the woods.

“Ow… What happened?” Spike rubbed his head, wincing as it hurt.

*****

After wandering for what seemed like hours, Alex finally began to see light breaching through the forest. He then started to see a clearing. He picked up the pace and soon found himself out of the Everfree Forest. It felt good to feel the sun again, even though it wasn’t the sun he knew. He didn’t care. All that mattered to him was that Twilight and Spike were far behind him, hopefully giving up their search for him. As he took in his surroundings, he could just see a town not too far away. He smiled. Where there was a town, there would be people. People that could probably give him shelter and hopefully have someone or something that could help him send him back to his world.
He walked before finally reaching a road that lead straight towards the town.

As he continued along the road, it wasn’t long before he came across a fence. Inside the fence was an apple orchard...

Chapter 2: The Great Apple Chase

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Chapter 2: The Great Apple Chase

Alex leaned onto the fence and stared into the vast apple orchard. He couldn’t help but marvel at the size of the apples that grew on the trees. They were huge! All plump and most likely juicy. He heard his stomach growling. The chase through the woods had made him hungry, and he didn’t have any food on him. Had he realized he was going to be blasted into a strange world with talking unicorns and dragons, he would have packed a big lunch. He knew the apples belonged to somebody, possibly an apple farmer. Only a farmer's love and care could produce such impressive apples, and he most certainly didn’t want to steal any.
He decided to follow the fence. Hopefully it would lead him to the farmhouse, and maybe they could spare him an apple or two…

Just then, he heard voices approaching from behind. It sounded like two female voices, cheerfully talking to one another. ‘What luck!’ Alex thought. ‘Maybe they can help me? Tell me where I am and…’ His eyes widened and his smile faded. He quickly climbed the fence, headed for the nearest apple tree and climbed it like a monkey on adrenaline. Through the safety of the leaves he watched as the voices drew nearer. Coming down the road and passing by him, were two ponies. One mint green unicorn with green and white mane and a lyre on her flank and the other a cream coated normal pony with a two-toned pink and blue mane with candy on her flank. He stayed silent as they pranced by, still talking cheerfully with no suspicion of having seen or heard him.

‘More ponies? More TALKING ponies?!?’ Alex suddenly had a grim feeling about this. 'If there were more ponies that could talk and use magic, then…' He looked in the direction of the nearby town and realization hit him like a ton of bricks. It was a PONY TOWN!

“I SHOULD HAVE KNOWN WHEN I SAW THAT SIGN THAT SAID ‘PONYVILLE’ ON IT!!!” he yelled as he gestured his hand towards a nearby sign pointing towards town, clearly saying ‘Ponyville’.

He frowned. All that time trying to avoid getting caught and he was going to find help in the one place Twilight was going to take him to. He hung his head inn grief. It probably wouldn’t have mattered anyway. If there was one town with ponies, then there was probably another town just like it. He solemnly picked a nearby apple and took a bite. “Chomp!”
‘Maybe even a city…’ he shuddered at the thought as he realized how screwed he was. He was a human in a world of ponies. There was no way he… “Mm! Juicy!” He licked his lips as he enjoyed the taste of the apple he was eating. It was the best apple he had ever eaten! Hungry as he was, it didn’t take long for him to finish his first apple and quickly picked another one. It was so heavenly sweet that it put all other apples he knew about to shame.
‘Maybe this place isn’t so bad…’ he thought as he leaned back against the tree, enjoying his second helping. ‘I think I really could…’

“HEY!”

Alex was startled as he suddenly heard a voice call up to him from below.

“AND JUS’ WHAT DO YA THINK YER DOIN’ IN MAH APPLE TREE?”

Alex looked down and saw another female pony. A normal orange mare wearing a cowboy hat, with long hay colored mane, three red apples on her flank and sporting a southern accent.

“Well?” She tapped her hoof impatiently.

Alex glanced back at his half eaten apple and swallowed as he realized what he had just done. He dropped it and it landed right in front of the pony’s hooves. She looked at the half eaten apple before glaring back at him.

“Hehe… Sorry.” he smiled apologetically.

“Yer trespassin’ in the Apple Family orchard stranger! Who pray tell are ya an’…” Her eyes switched from annoyed to curious. “…what are ya?” She slowly backed away a bit to get a better look through the leaves. She gasped as she realized that it wasn’t some thieving pony she had cornered.
“*GASP!* YA AIN’T NO PONY!” her voice echoed through the orchard.

“Sssssh!!” Alex frantically shushed Applejack and looked around. There was a tense moment of silence, with a random apple falling suddenly to the ground.

Hearing nothing else, Alex drew a relieved sigh. “Whew! I don’t think she heard…”

“Um… Who?” Applejack had gotten over her shock at seeing Alex and was now curious. Who was this apelike creature that sat in her tree and eating her apples? “Em… Wont’cha come down? Ah ain’t mad at ya or anythin’.”

“I don’t know…” Alex looked back down at her with doubt in his eyes. After what happened in the forest, he didn’t feel quite safe being near any pony. Even though she had no horn, it didn’t mean she was no less threatening. “Are you going to turn me in or something?”

“Ah won’t turn ya in.” She assured him. “But ya did eat them apples, so ya gonna have to pay for ‘em.”

“Um… How much for two apples?”

“Two Bits.”

Alex had money, but since he now was in a different world, the currency in his pockets was probably worthless. He had to make it up to her somehow. “I don’t have any… …Bits… But I will pay you back, I promise.”

“Jus’ come down. Ah won’t bite ya.” Alex eventually got the courage to climb down. Landing right in front of Applejack, she now got a much better look at him. He was taller than her, her head reaching just above his waist. “Now where in tarnation are mah manners..?” She raised her hoof and grabbed Alex’s hand, giving him the hand- I mean… ‘hoofshake’ of a lifetime.

“Name’s Applejack! Welcome to Sweet Apple Acres, home of the best apples in all Equestria. We grow apples for everythin’ apple related. From apple pie to apple cider. Apple crumble to apple fritters. Apple sauce n' apple butter. Hay even apple core.” she snickered “That there last one was a joke.” She mentally admitted it wasn’t a good one.
She let go off Alex’s hand, which was still shaking as he tried to regain control over it. “Now, who are ya? For that matter, y’ still ain’t told me what ya were doin’ in mah apple tree?”

“I’m Alex. I’m a human and I was hiding.”

“Hidin’? What in tarnation fer?”

“I ran into this unicorn in the woods. She and her dragon wanted to capture me…”

‘Unicorn n’ a dragon?’ Applejack got a feeling she knew whom Alex was talking about. “Twilight?”

“You know her?”

“Darn tootin. She’s one of mah best friends.” she smiled. Alex now got worried. If she was friends with Twilight, she would probably tell her about meeting him.

“Please don’t tell her where I am! She’s after me!”

Applejack blinked before smiling. “Now why would little ol’ Twi be after ya?” Realization then hit her and she moved a bit closer, glaring at him. “Y’ didn’t do anythin’ to her, did ya?” Alex gulped hearing the threatening tone in her voice.

“No! I didn’t do anything, I swear! She’s just after me!”

Looking into his eyes, Applejack could tell he wasn’t lying. This only puzzled her. Nopony would ever be after somepony unless that pony had done something… Or was important… Now that she thought about it, she realized that Alex was somepony she had never seen before.

“Y’ ain’t from around here, are ya..?” She cocked her eyebrow.

“No. I’m from another world. I came by ‘Lord-knows-what’ and just found myself in the forest. I’ve being trying to find out just where I am exactly and…”

After hearing the words ‘another world’, Applejack suddenly got lost in her own thoughts. Twilight was after this human. This human was from another world. This would mean he was really important. Maybe even worth something?
She suddenly had an idea. She started to envision herself at the Ponyville Market. Only this time she wasn’t selling apples...

~***~

“Step right up, foalks!” She shouted, drawing the attention of ponies all around. She was standing on a stage complete with scene curtains, looking like some traveling showpony, wearing her cowboy hat and a Dixieland outfit with a cane. “Step right up! Come and behold the most incredible, most breathtakin’, perhaps the most amazing thing in all Equestria!” She trotted back and forth across the stage, facing the audience. “It walks! It talks! It ain’t got NO HOOVES! NO PAWS and NO CLAWS! It ain’t a pony, a Diamond Dog, nor a dragon. Hay it ain’t even a Ditzy!”

“Yay! Wohoo!” Ditzy cheered from the audience.

All ponies, colts and mares alike, muttered in disbelief and curiosity to one another before again turning their attention towards Applejack.

“Ah ain’t kiddin’ ya foalks! Back here be the most amazing critter yall ever see. Straight out of this here world! Only one Bit per view! Step right up!” Applejack watched as ponies emptied their Bits in a barrel that got fuller and fuller by the minute.
There was a drumroll as a spotlight suddenly appeared on the stage curtain. All ponies watched with anticipation. At the sound of a cymbal, the curtains were pulled away, revealing a smiling Alex as he rode on a unicycle, trying to keep his balance as he joggled three apples, each of different color.

All ponies gasped in awe and cheered as they stomped their hooves in excitement.

Alex’s performance went on for only a few short minutes before he finally lost his balance and landed face down on the stage. The audience gasped in shock, wondering if he was okay. Their concerns were quickly cast aside as Alex, with his face still planted on the floor, raised his hand in a ‘thumbs up’. The audience cheered.

“And that ain’t all foalks!” Applejack announced while entering the stage as the curtains dropped. “For extra two Bits, yall have the experience of watchin’ ‘im jogglin’, while ridin’ his unicycle…” she signaled the curtains to be raised and a spotlight was turned on. “…jumping through a ring of fire over a fillypool of apple cider!”

Ponies cheered as more Bits were thrown into the barrel while Applejack looked on, smiling with content as they crowd began to chant;

“APPLEJACK! APPLEJACK! APPLEJACK…”

~***~

“Applejack..? Applejack!” Alex shouted, startling the daydreaming mare.

“Uh? Wha? Oh! Sorry ‘bout that.” Applejack said apologetically with her orange freckled cheeks blushing.

“Something wrong? It looked like you were miles away.”

“Well… Ah…” Applejack couldn’t lie. She knew she had found a goldmine. Or rather, a golden apple! And an apple like Alex could bring in a lot of Bits for Sweet Apple Acres. With the money, she could finally help out her family and get them the things they wanted. She just needed to stake her claim. Rubbing her hoof against her chin, she smiled with a sly grin.
“Y’ said ya wanted to pay me back for them apples, right?” Applejack asked. Alex nodded, completely unaware to what was about to happen as she reached for something inside her Stetson. “Ah know of a way ya could do that.”

“Really?” Alex smiled. “Like what? Pick apples? Fetch water? Clean the porch? Wash the dishes? I can do just about any…” Applejack suddenly pulled out a lasso and threw it over Alex, tying him up. “...thing? Hey! What?”

“Jus’ come with me sugar, and ya’ll be makin’ me Bits in no time.” Applejack started walking towards the farmhouse, holding the end of her rope in her mouth with a tied up Alex at the other end in tow.

“I don’t understand. What’s going on?” Alex asked worried.

“Yer gonna make us rich, sugar.” she smiled. “I’m gonna show you off to everypony in Ponyville. Ah’ll teach ya how to do tricks and together we’ll make a fortune.”

Alex cringed as he realized what was happening. Applejack was going to show him of like some circus animal. To perform demeaning and possibly dangerous tricks; like joggling while jumping through a ring of fire on a unicycle across a pool of apple cider!

While Alex did like the circus, he did not wish to be part of it. He had to escape this! The rope around his waist wasn’t that tight and he could wriggle himself out. He just needed to keep Applejack distracted.

“So… You farm apples, right?”

Applejack's ears perked. “Darn tootin!”

“Then you must know everything about apples, right?” He hoped this idea would work.

“Eeyup! Sure do!” she smiled. “Ah know all there is about apples.”

“Well then…” He thought for a moment before asking his question. “Surely an apple expert like yourself knows EVERY apple there is, right? Can you name all of them?”

“Sure can! Ah know ‘em like Ah know my own family.” She started to think for a moment. “There’s Adams Pearmain, Aia Ilu, Airlie Red Flesh, Akane…”

As she began to recite all 7.500 cultivars of apples (or family members), Alex seized this moment to escape. He started to wriggle and flex his arm muscles, hoping to wear the rope out so much it would loosen, while keeping pace with his captor. She had just gotten to the Howgate Wonder when Alex finally managed to pull the worn out rope off him. He gently dropped the rope to the ground and snuck away, watching as Applejack continued towards her farmhouse, completely unaware as she continued to recite apple after apple while pulling an empty rope.

“…Malinda, Mantet, Margil, MayQueen- MACINTOSH!” Applejack exclaimed as she noticed her big brother Big Macintosh. The big red stallion walked over to her with a rather puzzled look on his face. “Hey there Big Mac, y’ll never gis what Ah jus’ found!” she beamed with pride.
Big Mac was about to say something before Applejack cut him off. “Now before y’ say anythin’, remember that one time Ah said Ah would one day find a golden apple?”

“Eeyup?” the red stallion slowly answered.

“An’ remember y’ said that y’d eat yer harness if Ah did?”

“Uh… Eeyup..?”

“Well Ah hope ya skipped lunch, cause today Ah finally found the ‘golden apple’ that will set us and our farm up fer life!” she closed her eyes and proudly gestured her hoof to the rope behind her. “Ain’t he a beaut?”

“Nnope!”

Applejack blinked confusingly at Big Mac and then looked behind her. Her rope fell to the ground as she gawked at the realization that Alex was gone.

“TARNATION!” she yelled. “Wait here! Back in a sec!” Big Mac just stood there as she galloped away.

Alex ran as fast as he could through the orchard. He knew there was only a matter of time before Applejack realized what had happened. He just had to reach the fence and then he would be…

“HOLD ON THERE CONSARNIT!!”

Alex looked behind him and cringed as he saw Applejack racing after him and gaining. He realized he could not outrun her on foot and made a dash for the nearest, tallest tree he could find. He climbed the tree with great speed, not stopping until he had reached the top.

“Get down here ya varmint!” She demanded. She reared up against the tree trunk, trying to get closer. “Ya promised y’d pay me back for them apples!”

“Sorry, but I just realized I had somewhere else to be!”

“Don’t make me come up there n’ getcha’!” she hammered her hoof at the tree.

“I’d like to see you try!” Alex taunted and stuck out his tongue. “Pttt~!” The tree was too tall for her to climb, especially with hooves and Applejack knew this. Fuming, she pushed herself away from the tree and walked away grumbling.
Feeling victorious, Alex just leaned back against the tree and relaxed.

THUD!

Suddenly, the entire tree started to shake. Alex quickly grabbed a branch and peered down as he saw Applejack bucking the tree with her hind legs. From the way the tree shook, it was obvious to Alex that Applejack was pretty strong. This was made evident as apples started to fall off the tree due to the powerful vibrations.

THUD! THUD!

“Sure hate to do this to ya sugar! But if y’ won’t come down…” She bucked the tree again, even harder this time.

THUD!!

“…Then Ah’ll buck ya down!” The tree shook violently, dropping every apple on the ground. Applejack continued to buck the tree, showing no sign of being tired. By now the tree was completely free of apples, aside from one non-apple that still struggled to hang on. “This oughta do it!”

THUD!!!

Applejack made one more buck. It shook the tree with tremendous force, finally forcing Alex to let go of the branch.

‘This is it!’ Alex thought, closing his eyes as he hit the ground.

CRASH!

Any moment now Applejack would be all over him with her rope and tie him up like some helpless calf. It took him only a moment to realize that Applejack was not tying him up. Nor did she try and tackle him.

“Oooh….”

Alex suddenly realized he was lying on something lumpy and glanced down to see that he had fallen on Applejack, knocking the wind right out of her. He felt her stirring as she started to regain consciousness.
“Eh… Sorry… Bye-bye!” Alex quickly jumped off her and ran. Applejack struggled to quickly get back on her hooves and galloped after him.

“GET BACK HERE!”

Alex ran through the field with the cowboy mare on his heels. He tried to lose her by taking sharp turns and dodging past one apple tree after another, but Applejack proved to be just as agile. To her this 'obstacle course' was a piece of apple pie. As he was finally nearing the fence, Alex was suddenly bypassed by Applejack as she skidded to a halt in front of him and blocked his path. Alex came to a screeching halt, yelped and made a sharp turn back towards the farm.

“Ye-Haw! Get along little doggie!” yelled Applejack, taking quite a joy in this chase. She was literally ‘herding’ him back to the farmhouse, cutting him off whenever he tried to deter from the path. With only a few feet remaining, Alex was exhausted from all the intense running and was forced to stop next to a hollow apple tree to catch his breath. He panted heavily as he tried to come up with some kind of escape plan when Applejack appeared, her eyes gleaming in triumph. “Ah gotcha now!” She jumped straight at him. Alex instinctively closed his eyes and ducked as the mare came at him at full speed.

THUD!

He started hearing muffled sounds. He glanced up and saw that Applejack had missed him and gotten her head stuck in the hollow tree. Alex seized this opportune moment and ran off.

Trying now to run across the farm, Alex suddenly saw a big red stallion with a large green apple slice on his flank sitting on the porch, with a surprised look on his face. Searching desperately for another way to escape, Alex saw the barn and quickly made his way past the open doors and closed them.

Using all her strength, Applejack managed to finally pull her head out of the tree. Lying on the ground somewhat dazed, her eyes focused just enough to see Alex as he dashed into the barn. She smiled as she realized that Alex was now trapped. There was no other way out of that barn besides the way he came in. She quickly got up and raced towards it.

Inside the barn, Alex let out a disgruntled groan as he realized there was no back door, nor a window he could climb out. He peered out of the small crack in barn door, and saw Applejack approaching. His eyes darted frantically around the barn. All he saw was ropes, harnesses, tools, shovels… This didn't look good...

Big Mac watched silently as his sister raced towards the barn. She stopped just in front of the door and knocked on it several times with her hoof. “Ah gotcha trapped now, ya varmint!” she called in. “Ah’m comin’ to getcha!” She opened the barn door, dashed right in and closed it.

What then followed was a loud crash, followed by several other loud and unholy noises. Crashing and tumbling could be heard, along with the sounds of a chicken squawk and a sheep bleat. The barn shook and literary jumped off its foundation for a brief moment. Big Mac watched with a perplexed look on his face as he listened to the yelling and screaming inside while the noises intensified.
The commotion continued until it eventually died down, leaving nothing but an eerie silence in the air. Just then, the barn door slowly opened.

Alex stepped out of the barn, slightly scuffed and bruised but otherwise fine. He drew a relieved and satisfied sigh as he brushed off the dirt and straw from his clothes. He closed the door behind him and was about to leave when he suddenly came face to face with Big Mac.

“Oh!” Big Mac simply stared at him. “Uh.. Hi!” Alex said nervously. “Um... Applejack’s inside…” he smiled while pointing at the door with his thumb. Big Mac eyed the door before focusing back on Alex. “Well, see ya around…” Alex casually placed his hands in his pockets and calmly walked away as he whistled a fake western tune.

Big Mac simply stood and watched as this strange creature just walked away. He then turned his attention to the barn and slowly ventured inside. Peering in, he saw the state it was in. It was a mess! Tools and equipment were thrown everywhere, with ropes and harnesses lying around in complete bundles. He then noticed something hanging at the back of the barn, dangling back and forth. Trotting calmly towards it, he stared with curiosity and confusion at his sister as she hung upside down from the support beam, all roped up like a rodeo steer with a piece of rope muffled clumsily around her mouth. She glared at Big Mac with a look of dissatisfaction and humiliation as he pursed his lips and fought to stifle a giggle.

“Not one word out of ya...”

*****

Alex sprinted across the apple orchard before reaching the fence, leaped over it and dashed off into the nearest woods. He didn’t stop until he had reached a safe distance away from the farm. By now he was tired. That little exciting tussle inside the barn had begun to take its toll. Reaching a clearing, he finally collapsed on the grass. He rolled onto his back and looked up towards the sky. He watched as clouds drifted slowly across the skies while hearing the calm chirping of birds in the trees.
‘Why did I come here? How did I get here? WHAT IS THIS PLACE?’ he mentally shouted.

He closed his eyes with a tired sigh and just lay there on the ground, enjoying the brief peace and tranquility of nature.

Moments later, he suddenly felt a shadow above him. Thinking first it was a cloud he paid it no heed, until he realized it wasn’t moving. He opened his eyes and noticed a dark figure standing over him. Looking at it more closely, he noticed the pony features…

“Um… Hello..?”

Alex shrieked and bolted up away from the pony, causing in turn her to squeak and recoil in fear. At first he thought it was Applejack, but after quickly noticing the sweet tone in the mare’s voice, it became clear that it wasn’t. He scuttled further away for a bit before finally stopping, never taking his eyes off her.

“Oh! I’m so sorry! I didn’t mean to scare you…” she said very apologetically.

Alex was speechless. His eyes wide as he beheld the new pony in front of him.

‘She’s FLYING!?!’

Chapter 3: Endangered Species

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Chapter 3: Endangered Species

“Oh dear! I didn’t mean to startle you. Are you alright?”

Alex said nothing. He just sat there on the ground and stared at the yellow pony with pink mane and tail, with his mouth hanging wide open in utter disbelief. He couldn’t believe it. She had WINGS! She had wings and she was flying! Well… ‘Hovering’ would probably have been the more accurate word. He had seen ponies with and without horns, but never did he imagine there would be flying ponies too. He didn’t know whether to act amazed or terrified.

“Um… Excuse me… But are you okay?” She asked him again, becoming a bit worried. Alex finally snapped out of it.

“Fine! I’m fine… It’s just…” He couldn’t help it. It was all becoming too much. “You’re flying!”

“Of course…” She smiled. “I’m a pegasus. My name is Fluttershy. What’s yours?”

“Alex…” He slowly got up on his feet and started to walk around her, regarding her from all sides. He still couldn’t fathom that before him was a pony with wings, only a few inches above the ground, defying gravity as if it was nothing. He then spotted three butterflies on her flank. He started to wonder if this had some kind of meaning. “You said you’re a pegasus?”

“Yes..?” She answered. She was a bit more nervous now. This strange creature was regarding her closely and looking at her as if he had never seen a pegasus before. Although she was glad that he wasn’t frightened of her, she began to wonder if she should be afraid of him. “Um, if you don’t mind me asking… What are you? I’ve never seen an animal like you before…”

Alex calmed down his excitement and faced Fluttershy. “I’m a human. I come from…” He thought for a moment, remembering how his previous meetings went. “…from a place far, far… far away.”

“Oh! Then you must be tired. I thought you looked tired. You must have been through a lot.”

‘You have no idea!’ Alex thought sarcastically.

“You must need a place to rest.” She landed on the ground. “Come. My cottage isn’t far. You can rest there while I make you something to eat. You must be famished too.”
She led the way as they walked through the woods. Alex couldn’t believe how relaxing it suddenly was. This pegasus was incredibly nice. Way nicer than Twilight or Applejack. While he harbored no ill will towards either of them, he just didn’t like what they had planned for him.
One thing Alex noticed on their way was birds that seemed to suddenly follow them. He heard a gentle humming emitting from Fluttershy as the birds flew beside her and chirped happily to her tune. He then noticed bunnies and squirrels flock beside her, hoping along and paying Alex no heed or fear. It soon became quite clear to him that this pony had a thing for animals.

*****

It didn’t take long before they finally reached Fluttershy’s cottage. It was a small but pleasant little cottage that seemed to be one with nature. Close by he saw a little henhouse, and on the other side he saw what he could only describe as a petting zoo.

“I see you like animals.”

“Oh yes. I love all animals. I take care of them and treat them if they’re lost, injured or hungry. It’s my special talent.” She said smiling. Alex couldn’t help but smile back. He wondered though if Fluttershy really saw him as a lost animal. It wouldn’t be too surprising considering where he was, but as long as she wasn’t chasing him, he was quite content with her hospitality.
She opened the door to her cottage and welcomed Alex inside. He was quite taken back by all the animals that were already inside. Rabbits, squirrels, bunnies and mice of various size flocked around them, some with delight in seeing Fluttershy again and others with curiosity over her new friend.

“Angel…” She addressed the white bunny in front of her. “…everyone, this is Alex. He’s a human and he’ll be staying with us for a while.” She smiled as she presented him for her friends. Alex hadn’t quite agreed upon if he was going to stay long. His biggest desire was to find a way back home. But, as long as he was here, he might as well make himself comfortable. He was rather tired and hungry from earlier. “This way Alex.”

Alex found himself being escorted to the kitchen and found a chair ready by a small table. Fluttershy pulled up the chair and waited till he sat down. She then hovered over to an oven and put a kettle ready to make some tea. While the water was boiling, she sat down across from him. Angel hopped on the table with two plates; one for Alex and one for Fluttershy.

“Thank you Angel.” Fluttershy said as the bunny saluted and hopped off to join the others. “I hope you like tea. I also have some muffins in the cabinet. You do like muffins, right? If you don’t… mind me asking..?”

Alex couldn’t help but stare at her. She was too polite. Anyone (or anypony) that nice just had to be. And seeing how insecure she acted, he could understand why her name was Fluttershy. He smiled as he answered back. “I like muffins. Yes please.”

She trotted over to the cabinet and placed a muffin on both their plates. As he was about to enjoy his muffin, Alex suddenly noticed that Fluttershy was regarding him very closely.

“Yes?”

“You said you were a human…” She began. “I don’t think I’ve ever-”

“-Seen one like me?” Alex finished her sentence. “Sigh! Somehow I knew that you were going to say that.”

“I’m sorry…” Fluttershy blushed shamefully.

“No! No, it’s not like that!” Alex got nervous. He had to be careful as she seemed to be very emotionally fragile. “It’s just that I’m new here. And so far it’s been really stressful...”

“Oh my! What happened?”

“I don’t know…” Alex said deflated. “I was minding my own business, when I suddenly wound up here and, before I met you, got chased by ponies that wanted to catch me for some reason.”

“That’s awful!” she exclaimed softly. “Why in the world would anypony want to do that? You don’t look like you’d cause trouble.”

“It’s more because of what I am.” He became more relaxed now. “Apparently, there is no other human like me here.”

“No others like you?” She looked at Angel with concern before turning to Alex. “Are… Are you all alone?”

“Afraid so…” he continued. “I didn’t even want to come here, but somehow I ended up here and I’ve never felt so alone.”

“You poor thing...” Fluttershy bent down and whispered something in Angel’s ear. Angel then darted out of the cottage, along with several other animals, leaving her and Alex alone. “But don’t you have family? Aren’t they here? Did they send you away? Why didn’t they come with you?”

“They couldn’t… They didn’t… I don’t think anyone knows I’m gone. I don’t even know if I’ll ever get back.”

“Get… back?”

He swallowed nervously as he decided to risk it. “The truth is Miss Fluttershy… I’m the only human in this whole world. I’m an alien!”

“A- Alien?” Fluttershy stuttered in shock as her eyes went wide.

Alex cringed when he realized what he had just said. If Fluttershy was anything like Twilight or Applejack, she would try and hold him until more ponies came by, or worse. He cursed himself for his honesty and was about to get up and leave before she got any wild ideas. Then suddenly he noticed that she was sobbing.

“How awful…” she sobbed. Alex was now confused. He half expected her to suddenly come after him, but instead she just sat there and wept.
Suddenly she got up and dashed towards him. Alex was about to make a leap for the door until he was caught in her warm embrace. “All alone in the world, with no home and no friends… Sob! Oh you poor thing…” As Fluttershy tearfully hugged him, Alex just sat there blushing and looking rather dumbfounded. “Don’t you worry…” She dried her tears. “You can stay here with me. I’ll help you anyway I can.” She gently released him and trotted over to the kitchen counter.

Alex was speechless. ‘Finally!’ he thought to himself. At last he had found a pony that was actually concerned for him and not interested in exploiting him or turning him in to some government lab. He drew a sigh of great relief as he held up his muffin. He could finally rest easy knowing that…

SWOOP!

Before he had a chance to bite down on the muffin, Fluttershy suddenly swiped it from his hand.

“One plain muffin? How thoughtless of me!” she said.

“Hey! I was gonna enjoy-”

BANG!

“…that?”

A large plate with all manner of cakes, muffins, bread and fruit was suddenly placed on the table before him. He had never seen such a spread. Alex was utterly speechless.

“Here! You just eat up. I’ll be right outside.” she said as she darted out of the kitchen. Alex just sat there looking at the plate and the mountain of food before him. He didn’t even notice she was gone as he sat there drooling and instinctively reached for a cupcake. He was about to take a bite, when Fluttershy suddenly reappeared and gently tapped on his shoulder.

“Ehm… Excuse me… But could you please stand up for a moment?” Alex stood up and watched as Fluttershy pulled out a measuring tape. She hovered around him, measuring his height and the length of his arms. “Do you always wear clothes?” she asked once she was finished.

“Yeah, it keeps me warm. I don’t have any…” before he could finish, Fluttershy had once again left the kitchen. “…fur.” Alex shrugged as he sat back down to eat. Just then he felt a new tap on his shoulder.

“Ehm… I’m sorry, but what do humans normally eat? Fruit? Vegetables? Meat? I can easily supply the first two…”

“It’s okay. I do eat fruits and vegetables. I also eat meat, but if it’s a problem I don’t…” Before he could finish, Fluttershy had disappeared once again. “…mind?”

Alex scratched his head and started to grow suspicious. First she was being overly nice to him. Then she wanted to measure him. Then she asked what he used to eat. All this was probably quite normal if he was going to stay for a while. When you are the host, you should always make sure the guest is comfortable...

“I’m really, really sorry…” He felt Fluttershy’s hoof on his shoulder again. “But do you have any illnesses that I should be aware off? Any allergies or other inherent diseases..?”

“Not that I know of…” This was starting to get personal and creepy. “A bit of allergy during winter but…” Fluttershy dashed off again.

This was getting weirder and weirder. Alex had heard of generous hospitality, but now it was getting ridiculous. Alex got off his chair and moved towards the kitchen window. He could now hear sounds of tools being used on wood. Nails being hammered, boards being sawed and… cement being churned?
He peered out the window and gawked as he saw all of Fluttershy’s animals, with Angel wearing a hardhat as their acting foreman, busily building what Alex could only faintly describe as a habitat.

“Oh! Careful now little one’s…” Alex’s eyes shifted as he heard Fluttershy’s voice. Sitting by a large tree stump, she was busily supervising the progress, all the while making notes and changes to her blueprints as Angel hopped to her side. “Angel, make sure the bunnies dig the well deep enough, and tell the beavers to clear the trees in this area. We need more boards for the house he’ll live in…”

‘Live in?!’ Was she talking about Alex? Was she building him a house? Alex then remembered the petting zoo, her talent and her treatment of animals. He stepped back in horror. Fluttershy was actually building him a natural habitat! At first he was worried that she would exploit him like Twilight and Applejack, but now it seemed that she wasn’t going to do anything of the sort. Instead she was going to quite literally shield him from the world.

He would be living in his makeshift house, complete with everything he would possibly need; A bed for the dark cold nights, a living room for him to relax, a lawn for him to tend and exercise on and a restroom for his… private uses. And every now and then Fluttershy would come and practically ‘mother’ him by bringing him his favorite foods and making sure he was well and comfortable, while ponies, young and old, observed him from outside an enclosed barbwire fence that kept him tightly secured and locked inside. Like a zoo animal.

Alex shook his head. No, this was just ridiculous speculation! While all the questions and the secret building was suspicious, she was too nice to ever…

“It’s coming along nicely Angel. Alex will love it. Do you suppose we have enough barbwire?”

…AAAANNND with that, Alex decided it was time for him to leave. “Sorry Miss Fluttershy. I know why you are doing this, but I enjoy my freedom too much…”
He slowly tiptoed towards the front door, reached for the knob and was about to dash out when Fluttershy suddenly appeared behind him.

“Excuse me… But, um… …where are you going?”

“Fluttershy!” Alex froze, turned around, swallowed and backed against the door as Fluttershy slowly stepped towards him. “I… I was just going out. I’m really grateful for your hospitality and all, but I really think I should get going…”

"But you can’t leave!” Fluttershy protested. “You are an endangered species! You must stay here where I can protect you!”

“Endangered species?”

“Why yes! You said so yourself. You’re all alone. And I can’t let you go out there by yourself. You need a place to stay. Somewhere safe, where nopony can harm you and where I can always keep an eye on you.” She pulled him into a hug and gently stroked his hair. "Forever and always..."

Despite the sweet and cheerful sound in her voice, this really didn't sit well with Alex. He’d rather take his chances in this strange world than being pampered for the rest of his life.

“Um… Thanks Fluttershy. This is very kind of you…” he said nervously, removing her hooves around him and pushing her gently away. “But I REALLY should be going now.” He was about to reach for the door knob when her wings suddenly flared up.

“Oh, but I INSIST…” her voice suddenly seemed to change tone. Just then, Alex saw it. Those eyes…

Fluttershy began to glare at him and it made him uneasy. Trying to break away, he found he was unable to. Those sweet, yet intimidating eyes seemed to stare into his very soul and he was completely frozen in place. Alex had to distract her somehow, fast…

“I don’t want to do this Alex. But if you won’t listen to reason-”

“GASP! Oh no! One of the bunnies had an accident! It’s got a nail in its paw!” he exclaimed.

“DOUBLE GASP! Oh no!” Fluttershy squeaked in horror. She broke eye contact and flew out the kitchen window. “Hang on! I’m coming!”

Alex saw his chance and dashed out the front door and into the woods. That felt surprisingly easy. She believed him, even when he was nowhere near a window at the time. He knew it would be a matter of time before she realized her mistake. His only hope was that she wasn’t the relentless chasing type...

“That critter oughta be aroun’ here somewhere!”

…unlike a certain cowpony he just recently met. Alex came to a screeching halt and looked passed the bushes and trees ahead of him. Walking in from the opposite direction was Applejack, along with her brother Big Mac and a small dog leading the way.

“Come along now Big Mac! We gotta get movin’ if we aims to catch that varmint! Search Winona! Search!”

“Eeyup!” Big Mac uttered as he trotted along after her with a large crate on his back.

Alex immediately turned and headed back the way he came, putting a good distance away from the Apple siblings. As he did, Applejack’s dog Winona’s ears suddenly perked up and she smelled the air. She suddenly dashed off into the woods and barked excitedly.

“Winona’s caught the scent! Come on, Big Mac!” Applejack exclaimed and galloped after Winona, with Big Mac following close behind.

Alex could hear the bark of Applejack’s dog as it closed in on him. He knew he could never outrun a dog on foot, but he was determined not to end up as Applejack’s little traveling ‘Freak Show’. Just then, something yellow and pink blocked his path, locking eyes with him.

“There you are! I was so worried! You really scared me you know…” Fluttershy sounded more angered than concerned as she trotted up to Alex, her eyes firmly fixed on him. Alex tried to look away, but again found he was unable to. “…saying my bunnies were hurt and all that. I’m sure you just imagined it and I forgive you, but that is no reason for you to-”
As she was scolding him, Alex felt cold sweat running down his forehead and chills down his spine. He had lost all control over his body. Whatever she was using, it was working and he felt obedient and compliant. He would willingly follow her back to the cottage the moment she would tell him to…

Just then, Winona popped out of the bushes, barking cheerfully as she had found Alex. This broke Fluttershy’s concentration and she jumped a bit as the dog excitedly jumped around him.

“Winona? What are you...?” she said, only to discover that Winona wasn’t paying her any attention. “I’m sorry but I’m…” She tried to reason. “I’m talking to Alex here and… And you are…” Winona completely ignored her as she barked at Alex, trying to keep him in place as he slowly regained control and cringed at the sight of her. “Stop that Winona! You’re scaring him!” she half whispered. But Winona kept barking at him.

“STOP THAT!”

Fluttershy’s sudden yell finally earned Winona’s attention as she stopped and looked into her eyes. Winona whimpered as she was utterly frozen in place, with her ears dropped and her tail firmly between her legs. If Alex didn’t know better, he could’ve sworn the dog was sweating. Through the fur!
“Listen Winona…” she began, her eyes still locked on the nervous dog. “…You’re scaring Alex. And you shouldn’t be out here all alone. Applejack must be worried sick. Shame on you!” Winona’s ears dropped even lower as she whimpered shamefully. “Now be a good girl and go home!” Without hesitation, Winona ran off, passing the Apple siblings as they now where only a few meters away beyond the thick bushes, ignoring them completely.

“What in tarnation..?” Applejack and her brother’s eyes widened as they watched their dog suddenly turn tail and run back to the farm. “Winona! What’s gotten into ya? Get back here, consarnit!” She galloped after Winona with Big Mac following close behind. Hearing the shouts, Fluttershy peered out of the bushes just in time to see Applejack and her brother run after Winona.

“Oh my…” she quietly muttered in her now sweet and regretful voice. “I guess she was walking her dog... Oh Fluttershy, you’re such a featherhead!” She closed her eyes and sighed. Her infamous ‘Stare’, while effective, did have its disadvantages.
“I better go and apologize…” As much as she wanted to go and set things right, she then remembered she had to tend to Alex first and… Alex! She had completely forgotten about him! She turned around to find that he was already gone. She quickly flew up just above the tree line and spotted him as he ran down a narrow path. “Hey wait!” she silently yelled. “You… You can’t just…” Her lips trembled as anger started to build up inside her.

“You’re… COMING BACK WITH ME!!!”

*****

Alex ran as fast he could with the yellow pegasus closing in on him. He quickly darted behind a tree and hid as Fluttershy flew by, with beaming anger in her eyes. Having shaken her off, Alex took a detour through the woods until something white and fluffy blocked his path.
Angel had joined the hunt and stood defiantly in his way, glaring at him while waving his paws in a fighting pose. Alex just stood there and looked at the tiny bunny. Angel grinned triumphantly as he saw that Alex wasn’t moving, realizing that the human had met his match...

“You’re kidding? You’re kidding, right?”

Angel’s triumphant smile faded as he realized that Alex wasn’t at all intimidated by him. He seized his fighting stance and his ears dropped as Alex moved over to him and picked him up. He looked at Alex with a sheepish smile on his face. Alex smiled back as he couldn’t help but to find the bunny amusingly cute. Just then, he heard Fluttershy calling from the bushes behind him.

“Angel? Did you see him? Is he there?”

Alex had to lose her somehow. Then he looked at Angel, who grew slightly worried as Alex got an idea.

“Angel?” Fluttershy emerged from the nearby bushes. “Angel, are you… GASP! WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!” Fluttershy ‘s heart skipped with fear as she saw Alex standing next to a cliff, holding Angel over the edge by his ears.

“One more step and bunny-girl goes over the edge!” Alex threatened. He felt a tap on his shoulder and saw Angel frowning at him. “Ops! Sorry…”

“Don’t hurt my little Angel! Please! Just come back with me… We’ll… We’ll work something out…” She pleaded, tears welling up in her eyes. Alex couldn’t bear to see a sweet mare like that cry, but neither did he want to spend his life in a cage (no matter how cozy it was).

“Sorry Fluttershy… But you only have one choice. CHOOSE!” Alex suddenly let go of Angel, sending him plummeting down. Fluttershy wasted no time and sped towards the cliff, ignoring Alex as he dodged her and dashed off into the woods. She reached the cliff and saw Angel hanging by a root that stuck out of the cliff face.

“ANGEL! Hang on!” She reached down her hoof and tried to grab Angel as the root was starting to break. “I got you Angel! Hang on! You’re not going to fall!” Angel stretched out his paw, trying to reach her hoof. Fluttershy, trying to overcome her fear of heights, stretched herself further down, trying to reach her precious bunny. Hoof and paw were only a few inches away before the root broke.

SNAP!

“Got you!” yelled Fluttershy as hoof and paw made contact at the very last second. “I got you Angel! I won’t let go..!” She tried to pull Angel up, only to discover she didn’t have the strength. She could feel Angel’s paw beginning to slip from her hoof. “Angel!” Angel solemnly looked into Fluttershy’s teary eyes as he suddenly let go…

“NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!”

Fluttershy covered her tear soaked eyes as she whimpered in despair for her poor bunny. “Oh Angel… Sob! My poor sweet little-”

TOCK!

She felt a small pebble hit her on the head. She looked over the edge and saw Angel standing at the bottom, tapping his foot and looking up at her with a frown on his face. The ‘cliff’ was nothing more than a short five foot drop, which Angel easily survived. Fluttershy’s cheeks were red with embarrassment.

“Oh… Eh hehe, Opsie… Squee!”

Angel just rolled his eyes.

*****

Alex ran and ran, covering quite the distance before finally coming to a complete stop. After making certain that he was not being followed, he breathed a great sigh of relief.
While he was safe for the time being, he wasn’t too thrilled about his current situation. Now four ponies were after him, and one of them practically had nature itself on her side! Feeling no longer safe in the woods, Alex glanced towards Ponyville, which was now only a few yards away. “Guess there’s no choice…” he muttered as he slowly moved towards town.

Meanwhile, somewhere in Ponyville, a pink pony suddenly felt a twitch…

Chapter 4: Good Bye Human Party

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Chapter 4: Good Bye Human Party

“Hold still Twilight…”

Twilight trotted slowly through the streets of Ponyville while Spike stood on her back, trying to tighten a bandage he was wrapping around her head (with little success due to her horn). It had been a couple of hours since she was knocked out by that tree branch.
While it still hurt, the pain she suffered more was the loss of her human. Having searched the forest without any luck, she finally gave up and returned to Ponyville, forgetting all about Zecora’s tea.

“Lighten up Twilight. It’s not as bad as it looks…” Spike said, trying his best to lighten her spirit. Twilight merely sighed and grumbled.

As Twilight continued to drag her hooves down the street, both she and Spike never noticed Alex poking his head out of a bottomless barrel in a nearby alley. He too had just missed Twilight, having spent his last half hour hiding.

Alex’s eyes darted from left to right. Everywhere he could see there were ponies; earth-ponies, unicorns and pegasi. He had taken quite a chance going into Ponyville, but with the woods no longer a safe haven, the town seemed to be a much safer place than any.
He knew that somewhere out there was Twilight, the Apple siblings and Fluttershy combing the woods looking for him. The last place they would ever think to look would be smack in the middle of ‘Pony-Central’, aka Ponyville.

Alex snuck through the nearby alleyways, trying to stay as far away from the crowded streets as he possibly could. He parked himself next to another barrel and slowly peered up, checking if the coast was clear. The last thing he needed was being found out…

“HI!”

"GAH!"

Alex literally jumped out of the barrel as a pink pony suddenly emerged from the one next to him, waging her tail like an excited puppy. Her fluffy wild mane like cotton candy and a smile as big as a party clown. She jumped out of the barrel and skipped over to him.

“Hi! I’m Pinkie Pie. Welcome to Ponyville!” she smiled. Alex could only stare at her with big shocked eyes. He had been so careful. How did she find him? “Who are you? Or for that matter, WHAT are you? I’ve only seen ponies, griffins and minotaurs come to Ponyville, but I’ve never seen anypony like you before. Are you a pony? Of course not, you would have had hooves. You’ve got hands like a minotaur, except they have hooves too but on their hind legs. And horns! You don’t have horns either which is really strange cause if you were a minotaur…” Alex was getting scared. It wouldn’t stop babbling!

“ALEX!” he cried. “My name is Alex! I’m a human!” Pinkie Pie had finally stopped talking. She then smiled at him some more as she began to jump up and down before talking again, calmer this time.

“Welcome to Ponyville Alex the human. Why were you hiding in a barrel? Were you playing hide-n-seek? Ooh! Ooh! Can I play too? You’ll never find me!” She leaped back into the barrel and giggled. Alex just lay on the ground, speechless and a bit scared. This pony was hyper! As if she had eaten a truckload of sugar and washed it all down with soda! He kept a sharp eye on the barrel as he slowly crept away backwards, trying to reach the streets. Suddenly he felt his hand touch some pony’s hoof.

“What’s that you’re doing now?!” asked Pinkie. Alex yelled as the pink pony was suddenly behind him, still smiling and cheerful. How did she do that? He stared at Pinkie. He then looked back at the barrel. He looked at Pinkie again.

‘This is impossible! There is no way she could have…’

“Ooh! Ooh! You’re playing pretend, right? Can I join?” Pinkie fell backwards, landing on her hooves and started to crawl backwards to and fro before stopping beside Alex. “See? This is how a crab walks! Am I right? Huh? Huh?” she giggled.

“Ah… Yeah, that’s right! You win! Hehe…” Alex laughed nervously. This pony was really bizarre. He slowly got back up on his feet and started to walk away. “I don’t mean to be rude and all, but I need to be somewhere…”

“Where are you going?” Pinkie suddenly popped up in front of him. Man she was fast! Alex could clearly see she was a normal pony, but everything about her seemed like magic. No! Not magic. CHAOS! She was so random. If it weren’t for her festive personality and cheerful attitude, he would have seen her as an instant threat.

“I… don’t know…” Alex swallowed. “Somewhere… Anywhere… But... Not here? Squee!” he smiled nervously.

“But you can’t leave now! Not when there is a party!”

“What party..?”

“Yours, silly!” Pinkie Pie suddenly strapped a party hat on to his head. “It’s your ‘Special Welcome to Ponyville Party!’” She exclaimed throwing her hoof into the air as confetti and sounds of party horns emitted from her. “You see, I love parties and I throw one every time a new pony arrives in Ponyville. And as your new best friend, I’m making this one extra special!”

“But I’m not a…”

Pinkie Pie suddenly vanished, only to reappear seconds later, pushing a small, strange, colorful and yet festive wagon. She pushed it up next to Alex, who stood silently watching as this strange pony pushed a big red button that stuck out from the side of the wagon. Music filled the air as the wagon opened up, revealing a small oven with various cakes and muffins while trumpets and flags sprouted forth, blowing and waving as the pink pony suddenly burst into song and started dancing.

~~~~~

“Welcome, welcome, welcome!

A fine welcome to you!”

She skipped and bounced passed him and again from behind him, smiling cheerfully as she sang.

“Welcome, welcome, welcome!

I say; how do you do?”

She suddenly popped up beside him with a blow horn, blew on it, causing it to go inside his one ear and out the other. Alex painfully rubbed his one ear with his finger as soon as she removed it.

“Welcome, welcome, welcome!

I say; Hip, Hip Hooray!”

He watched as she brought out a large drum and played it while marching back and forth. She then came back and ‘tap-danced’ cheerfully towards him on her hind legs as the song drew to a close.

“Welcome, welcome, welcome!

To Ponyville todaaaay!”

~~~~~

“Wait for it…” She said gleefully as the music died down. Suddenly, the oven opened up and spewed forth confetti while a row of cannons shot out streams of cake-mix that covered them both.

Both Alex and Pinkie Pie stood just there, covered in cake-mix and confetti. Alex was at a loss for words. He had a hard time trying to grasp what had just transpired. Pinkie on the other hand let out a snort and giggled.

“I did it again! Giggle-Snort!”

Alex wasn’t really amused. His eyes darted back and forth the alleyway, hoping the music and loud noises hadn’t attracted any curious ponies.
As he began to brush off the cake-mix, he shot a quick glance back at Pinkie, and gawked at the pink mare as she with little to no effort stepped out of the cake-mix, leaving a hollow cake-statue of herself. His eyes grew even wider as the pink party animal’s mouth grew impossibly wide and took in the whole thing in one gulp. He started to wonder if this pony was made of rubber.

Having shaken off what remained of the cake-mix and taking off the hat, Alex calmly looked at Pinkie as she smiled at him, her tail wagging with anticipation as she appeared to wait for something. Watching her, Alex couldn’t help but smile back (which was exactly what she was waiting for).

“Cough! Well… Thank you. That was a really nice welcoming party Miss Pinkie Pie…” He said, scratching nervously the back of his head. “…but I really think I should get going now…”

“GO?!? But we’re friends now. You can’t leave yet!” She exclaimed. She ran up behind him and started to push him. Despite having dug his feet into the ground, he found himself leaving a trail of skid marks as the pony pushed him in the direction of a bakery that looked like an oversized gingerbread house. “You must come with me to Sugarcube Corner! I’ll invite everypony and we’ll throw the biggest ‘New Pony in Ponyville Party’ ever!”

“But I’m not a pony…”

Pinkie suddenly stopped, bringing a hoof to her cheek and gasping at the realization. “GASP! You’re right! We can’t have a ‘New Pony in Ponyville Party’ if the new pony in Ponyville isn’t a new pony in Ponyville!” She then sat on the ground and started to think. For a moment she reminded Alex of a statue he had seen at a museum once, and there was a ticking sound he couldn’t quite figure out.

DING!

She suddenly sprung back up on her hooves as she got an idea, and Alex could’ve sworn a light bulb appeared over her head at that moment. “I GOT IT! We’ll have a ‘Good Bye Human Party!’”

Alex blinked. “Come again?”

“Come on!” Pinkie continued to push Alex towards the bakery, ignoring his question. “Ooh this is going to be SO great! It’s the bestest idea ever!” Alex didn’t like this. He felt like helpless kid being forced into the house of some wicked witch.
She pushed Alex through the front door of Sugarcube Corner. Alex could tell the place lived up to its name. If there was anything that was sugarcoated, this place had A LOT of sugarcoating. Pinkie finally stopped pushing and bounced towards the counter.

“Mr. and Mrs. Cake are out on a family vacation, so I mind the bakery.” Alex glanced at a nearby photo that hung on the wall.
In the picture were three Earth-Ponies. He recognized Pinkie Pie as she playfully slipped into the background of the picture, throwing confetti and streamers while sporting a party hat and whistle. The one pony on the left was yellow stallion with orange mane, wearing a baker’s hat and sporting three carrot cakes on his flank. Beside him to the right was a light-blue mare pony with an apron and two-toned mane of light and dark pink. She had three cupcakes on her flank. Mr. and Mrs. Cake? Somehow Alex saw a pattern here…

“That’s Mr. Carrot Cake on the right and Mrs. Cup Cake on the left.” Alex’s suspicions were confirmed as Pinkie Pie suddenly appeared beside him pointing her hoof at the picture. The thought of being named after the marks on their flanks baffled him. “They are really nice. They let me stay here and I help them out by selling cakes and throwing a party every day.”

“You throw parties every day?” Alex raised an eyebrow.

“Well duh! Every day is a party, right?”

Alex couldn’t really understand Pinkie’s logic. Still, the three balloons on her flank seemed to tell him that she was quite literary obsessed with parties and celebrations. He rolled his eyes as he looked back at the picture. He then noticed two little foals between them.

“That’s their children Pound Cake and Pumpkin Cake.” Pinkie smiled. Alex looked closely at the picture. There was something wrong here.

“Why is one a pegasus and the other a unicorn?”

“Oh that’s easy! Carrot Cake’s great-great-great-great grandfather was a unicorn, and Cup Cake’s great aunt’s second cousin twice removed was a pegasus. Squee!”

There was a moment of silence as Alex looked back at Pinkie Pie with a deadpanned expression.

“That makes… sense..?” Alex said somewhat confused. Pinkie merely smiled and giggled as she bounced back behind the counter.

“Now where was it..?” She disappeared from sight as she seemed to be looking for something. Alex wasn’t quite sure what to make of all this. He then remembered what she said earlier. Good Bye Human Party? What did she mean by that?
He then glanced at another picture beside the one with the Cakes, and his blood froze. In the picture was Pinkie Pie, and around her were five other ponies. Two he didn’t recognize, but three he knew VERY well.

“Say… You don’t happen to be friends with a unicorn named Twilight an..?”

“YOU KNOW TWILIGHT?!”

“GAH!”

Pinkie Pie suddenly popped out of a butter churn, causing Alex to cry out. He couldn’t wrap around how she was able to move from one place to another. Let alone fit into anything smaller than her!

“Y… Yes! I met her on the way here. And Applejack and Fluttershy…”

“You’ve met Applejack AND Fluttershy too?!” Pinkie smiled. “That’s great! I should introduce you to my other friends; Rainbow Dash and Rarity. They’ll be so happy meet you…” Alex glanced back at the picture. The cyan pegasus with the rainbow mane was obviously Rainbow Dash. That only left Rarity, who was without a doubt the pretty looking white marshmallow unicorn with purple mane. “After all, you’ll be gone when this is over!”

“Gone..?” Alex glanced back at Pinkie, only to see her disappear back into the butter churn and pop back up from inside a stove.

“Well duh! Your ‘Good Bye Human Party’, remember?” she disappeared again. How was she doing this?

“Just what do mean by ‘gone’?” Alex slowly opened the lid of the stove, looking for Pinkie. Maybe she WAS a witch? “Are you going to send me home?”

“SEND YOU HOME?!”

CLANG!

The surprise of Pinkie suddenly standing right behind him caused Alex to jump, knocking his head into the pots and pans that hung over the stove.

“Silly, I can’t send you home. That would be the end of the story!”

Alex rubbed his head as he turned and faced Pinkie. “What?”

“I mean, do I even look like a unicorn? I can’t do magic.” Ironic since everything she had done these past minutes seemed like magic. “I’m only going to throw you your last ‘human’ party. You said so yourself. You’re not a pony, and I can’t throw a ‘New Pony in Ponyville Party’ if the new pony in Ponyville isn’t a new pony.”

“Then what are you going to do?” Alex asked nervously.

“I’m going to make you a pony.” She said cheerfully. Alex just stood there more confused than ever.

“You mean like, an ‘honorary pony’..?’” He was quiet for a moment. “I’m flattered…” He began to smile. His fears seemed to have been unfounded and he felt ashamed to think this pony would mean him any harm. “I’d be honored, even though I’d still be ‘technically’ human…”

“Oh, that’s the best part. You won’t! Giggle-Snort!”

Alex’s world shattered as his smile fell. Somehow that didn’t seem right. He looked at the still smiling pink pony and had an unnerving feeling.

“Won’t..? AhHehe... What do you mean by… ‘won’t’?”

“Giggle-Snort! Oh, you’ll see.” She giggled again and winked.

Alex stared deadpanned at Pinkie for a moment before finally shaking his head and rubbing his hand nervously at the back of his head.

“Well, all this sounds really exciting and all…” He slowly edged his way around Pinkie. “…but I REEAAAALLY think I should get going…”

“NO!!” she exclaimed, darting herself in front of Alex, blocking his path. The pink mare suddenly jumped up and placing her forelegs on his shoulders as she locked eyes with his. “You mustn’t go anywhere! Pinkie Promise that you won’t!”

“Pinkie Promise?”

“You know, a Pinkie Promise.” She raised her right hoof and stuck the hoof in her eye. “Cross my heart, hope to fly! Stick a cupcake in my eye!” Alex couldn’t help but smile a bit as it reminded him of a more familiar, yet disturbing, phrase. Placing her hoof back on his shoulder, she started to slowly push him back against the stove. “Pinkie Promise that you’ll stay for the party!”

Alex gulped as the cheerful image of Pinkie Pie suddenly turned very serious.

“Say it!”

“I Pinkie Promise! Cross my heart… hope to fly… Stick a cupcake in my… Gulp! eye..?”

“Super!” For a second, a smile appeared on her face, right before going back to dead serious. “You must never EVER break a Pinkie Promise! To break a Pinkie Promise, is to break a trust! And losing a friend’s trust is the fastest way to lose a friend!”
She pushed him until he hit the stove, knocking his head painfully on the same dangling pot he had done previously. Cornered, he froze as she pressed her muzzle against his nose while glaring into his eyes. “FOR-EVER!”

“…”

“Oh, there’s my notebook!” Pinkie suddenly looked passed him and grabbed a green notebook that stuck conveniently out from the very pot that Alex had hit his head on with her teeth. For that split second, all that tension disappeared as if it never happened. “Now you just wait here. I’m going to write down a list of things for the party. This is going to be so great!” she muffled. Back to her usual chirpy self she dropped back onto the floor and trotted off into the next room.

Great? Great wasn’t exactly the word Alex would use to describe the situation. He wasn’t sure if this pony was kidding or was completely insane. Whatever she had planned for him, it most definitely didn’t sound good! The first three ponies were at least interested in him as a human. This pony seemed almost like she had the intention of literary turning him into a pony. He started to envision himself as a pony, complete with hooves, snout and a mark on his flank. He shivered.

Promise or not, Alex knew he had to get away from this pony. He was too fond of his hands. While she was busy in the next room, he saw his chance to escape through the front door. He tip-toed quietly, reached for the doorknob and slowly opened it. It seemed a bit strange that this particular pony would so callously leave him alone…

“Where are you going?”

“GAH!” Alex exclaimed as the pink pony was suddenly outside. Was she waiting for him? “How? What? Why..?”

“You weren’t trying to run away, were you?” she frowned at him.

“NO! I… I just opened it to… …to get a little fresh air! That’s all!” She looked at him suspiciously for a moment. Alex smiled nervously.

“Oki-doki loki!” She cheerfully said. “Fresh air is nice. And you know what? You do look pale! Are you hungry? You should eat some cupcakes. I love cupcakes!” she happily exclaimed as she bounced in, forcing Alex back. “Do you like cupcakes? Of course you do! How can anypony not like cupcakes? Oh wait, you’re not a pony yet. Guess that makes you an ‘ANYBODY’! How can anybody not like cupcakes? Anybody… Snicker! Sounds really weird saying it… What else ends with ‘body’? Everybody, nobody, somebody… Giggle-Snort! It’s like a song.”

~~~~~

“No-body, some-body.

Any-body, Every-body…”

~~~~~

Now Alex was starting to get frustrated. “Why are you doing this? Why go through all this trouble to make me a pony? I’m just a nobody!” Pinkie just giggled.

Suddenly, she raised her hoof and a spotlight shined down upon her as the kitchen suddenly went dark. Alex looked up wondering where that light came from when he then noticed Pinkie moving her body in rhythm to a tune that suddenly came out of nowhere. It faintly reminded him of a theme from an animated show he liked as a kid.

~~~~~

“You say you are no-body?

I say you are some-pony!

Why settle for any-body?

When it can just be every-pony?”

“Deep down! You’ll see!

That Ponyville ain’t so bad!

Pretty soon! You’ll be!

A pony that’s really ra~ad!”

“A pony you will be!”
*Will be~!*

“A pony, you will see!”
*Will see~!*

“In this pony town, with new friends and family. All you need is to join the herd! Yes, a pony you shall be!”

*Do-Do-Do Do Doo~!*

~~~~~

She shook her flank as she danced to the music. She then leaped into Alex’s arms and hugged him. Alex just frowned and dropped Pinkie on to the floor. Perplexed, she just lay on her back staring at him as he stepped away and, for reasons he couldn’t quite figure out himself, started to sing his reply.

~~~~~

“You say I am no-pony?

I say I am some-body!

Why be like any-pony?

When I’m just like every-body?”

“Give it up! Its nuts!

I like my body the way it is!

No ifs! No buts!

Not even a pretty plea~se!”

“A pony I won’t be!”
*Won’t be~!*

“A pony can’t you see?”
* You see~?*

“In this pony town, without friends and family. No, I will nev-er join your herd! I refuse as you can see!”

*Do-Do-Do Do Doo~!*

~~~~~

Alex crossed his arms and turned his back to her in defiance. Pinkie’s lips trembled and she seemed as if she was about to cry. Instead her sadness quickly became determination and she sprung up on her hooves. Alex felt her hoof tap on his back and he turned around only to find she was suddenly gone. Looking back, she was suddenly in front of him, pressing her face hard against his as she glared into his eyes. Alex tried to counter her glare with his own, pushing themselves from one corner of the room to another in a battle of submission.
The ‘Glare Contest’ switched back and forth until Alex finally found himself unable to match glares with her anymore. He was pushed to the floor and Pinkie dived down upon him, pinned him down between her hooves as she gleefully pressed her muzzle against his nose.

~~~~~

“A pony you will be!”
*Woah woah…*

~~~~~

She then trotted away, facing away from him.

~~~~~

“A pony, you shall see!”
*Yeah yeah…*

~~~~~

She continued to trot gracefully away before stopping with a dreamy sigh.

~~~~~

“Sigh~! In this pony town, we’ll be friends and family, oh~.

~~~~~

She paused. Then she immediately switched to her cheerful self.

~~~~~

“Oh you’re SO gonna join the HE~ERD!

~~~~~

Completely caught up in her ‘solo moment’, she jumped onto a table. She shook her body and danced while she sang, becoming so oblivious to everything around her. Alex noticed this and slowly, and carefully, pushed himself away across the floor.

~~~~~

“Yes, a pony you shall be!”
*Shall be~!*

“A pony you will see!”
*Will see~!*

“In this pony town, with new friends and family. Just come on and join the herd~!”

“Oh yes, a pony you shall be!”
*You’ll be~!*

“A pony you will see!”
*You’ll see~!*

“In this pony town, with new friends and family. All you need is to join the herd! Yes a pony you shall be!”

~~~~~

“WOOO! I’m SO excited! Aren’t you excited? You’ll just love being a pony! I just know you’ll- huh?”
Alex was gone. Pinkie’s eyes moved from where he was on the floor moments ago towards the now open front door. Pinkie was eerily quiet as she stood there still looking at the open door as it swayed and creaked in the wind.

“He’s gone..?” She dropped down on her haunches. “He… He broke the Pinkie Promise…” Pinkie half-whimpered until she suddenly gritted her teeth and held her breath as the anger boiled inside her, letting out jets of steam out her ears.
“NOPONY BREAKS A PINKIE PROMISE! Oh wait… He’s not a pony...” She then rubbed her hooves together and smiled dastardly while sporting a fake mustache. “…yet.”

“DUN DUN DUUUN!”

*****

Alex ran through the alleyways, trying to create as much distance from Sugarcube Corner as he could. He ran and ran until he finally stopped and rested near a trashcan. He took a deep breath and dried the sweat from his forehead.

“Phew! I think I lost…”

“YOU BROKE A PINKIE PROMISE!!!”

Alex flinched with fright as a familiar pink mare popped out of the trashcan. Her eyes burning with intense anger as she pointed her accusing hoof at him. Alex didn’t waste a single second and ran off.

“COME BACK HERE!!!” she yelled.

Not once did Alex look back. He ran and ran until he reached the other end of town. He finally stopped and rested his hand against a tree. This time he had lost Pinkie for…

“WHY WON’T YOU STAY FOR YOUR “GOOD-BYE HUMAN PARTY?”

Alex looked up and saw Pinkie as she popped out from between the leaves and branches of the tree. He jumped, screamed like a high-pitched girl and vanished in a dust cloud back into town. He ran before stopping short next to a fire hydrant to catch his breath. He was completely out of ideas. How was he going to escape this pink nightmare who now just popped out the hydrant?

“And also, do you know you scream like a girl?”

“*SHRIEK!*”

Alex took just one quick glance at Pinkie before taking off down the street again. He ran so fast he overtook a pony stallion pulling a cart of hay, who stopped suddenly and tried to figure out what had just passed him while Pinkie Pie, humming cheerfully, bounced slowly passed him.

*****

Meanwhile, Twilight and Spike had settled down outside a café, sitting comfortably on haystacks as they ate their meal (well, at least Spike did). Spike was enjoying a plate of his usual choice of hayfries, while Twilight sat with her face pressed on the table in sad defeat, the top of her head completely wrapped in bandages.

“Seriously Twilight, get over it. Have some hayfries.” Spike offered. Twilight merely glanced at her plate, frowned and breathed a heavy sigh, followed by a frustrated groan.

“It’s just not fair!” She raised her forelegs in the air before dropping them again. “The greatest thing to ever happen in my life, and I lose it in one day…” She slammed her face on the table.

BANG!

“Come on Twilight, it can’t be that bad…” Spike tried to cheer her up. “I mean, we could try again. He’s bound to show up somewhere…”

“Yeah right…” the depressed mare muffled sarcastically. She moved her head and frowned at Spike. “And just what are the odds of that happening?” She sat up and spread her forelegs. “Is he just going to run passed us and-”

“OUTTA THE WAY!!!”

Both of them froze as Alex suddenly zoomed passed them, knocking over tables and haystacks. He ran so fast that a couple of ponies that were sitting at one table suddenly found themselves at a completely different table when he passed them. They watched him with mouths agape as he disappeared down the street. Just then, they noticed Pinkie Pie bouncing passed them too, but in her slow and usual calm pace.

“Pinkie Pie?”

“Oh! Hey Twilight! Can’t stop now! I’m on a chase!” She giggled, and bounced out of sight in the direction of where Alex went. Both Twilight and Spike stared after them with deadpanned expressions on their faces. Twilight’s eyes then narrowed, her bandages on her head magically unwrapped and a wryly smile appeared on her face.

“Spike?”

“Uh… Yeah?”

“Let’s get to the library. I have an idea...”

“DUN DUN DUUUN!”

Twilight looked around confused, wondering who just said that.

*****

Alex continued to run down the street. He ran clean across the marketplace. He dodged a cart full of carrots. He slid beneath another cart full of tomatoes. He jumped up on a barrel and crossed a herd of ponies by running on their backs.

“AH!”

“IH!”

“HEY!”

“WATCH IT!”

He then jumped clean through the open window of a house, crashed through furniture, breaking wood and plates while a mare’s scream was heard, before exiting through another open window.
Alex accelerated and ran so fast, that when he reached an oddly shaped building shaped like a carrousel, he scaled it in less than 10 seconds. Reaching the top of the building, he grabbed hold the flag pole and came to a complete stop. Now he had a great view of Ponyville, and there was no sign of Pinkie Pie on the ground. He breathed a sigh of relief.

“Pant! Finally… Pant! I think I finally lost…”

He turned his head and found himself staring into the still angry eyes of Pinkie, who seemed to have been waiting for him. His triumphant expression crumbled like so many old, dry cupcakes.

‘Oh crud…’

“YOU APOLOGIZE RIGHT NOW, MISTER!” she yelled. Alex cried, accidently letting go of the flag pole. “Oooh! We sure are high up, aren’t we?” she said amazed, momentarily taking in the view of Ponyville. She didn’t notice Alex flailing his arms around as he was losing his balance. “It’s really dangerous being this high up. You really should be more caref…” Pinkie suddenly realized that Alex was gone. “Alex? Where did you go?”

Alex tumbled down the roof of the building. There was a loud crash as Alex fell straight through the roof of the second floor. He landed in a basket (almost landing on a white fluffy cat that instantly fled upon his arrival), slid across the floor and down a flight of stairs. He went flying passed an open door that closed upon his entry.

What followed was an unholy spectacle of chaos and destruction that emitted from inside that very room.

As the commotion finally died down, Alex peeked out from under the basket that had so conveniently landed on his head. He found himself face down on the floor in the middle of the room. All around him he saw fabric tossed and ripped on the floor, needles and pins dug into fabric and walls of the room, Mannequins… (I’m sorry!) Ponyquins were toppled over and pearls, jewels and all manner of shiny trinkets and gems were scattered on the floor. And to top it all off, yarn covering the whole room like some spider’s web.

Alex then heard the sound of galloping hooves coming closer. The door flew open and a marshmallow white unicorn with a purple mane entered the room. And she was not happy…

“WHAT IN THE NAME OF ALL EQUESTRIA???”

“DUN DUN… DUUUUUUUN!!!”

Chapter 5: Trapped in Fashion

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Chapter 5: Trapped in Fashion

“Muh… Muh… Muh…”

The white coated and purple haired mare stuttered as she beheld the devastation wroth upon her sewing room. Alex slowly picked himself up from the floor and dropped the basket, still covered in threads and sewing equipment. He brushed himself off, leaving only a measuring tape hanging from his hair while staring nervously at the white unicorn with a sheepish look on his face.

“Uhm… Hi…” he stammered. “Sorry..?”

*SHRIEK!*

She screamed at the top of her lungs. Her shriek was enough to nearly puncture his eardrums and literally sent the measuring tape flying. She cantered frantically around the room, gasping each time as she beheld the state it was in.

“GASP! MY FABRICS! MY EQUIPMENT! MY GEMS! MY… *SHRIEK!!!*” She flashed passed Alex and stopped in front of a ruined ponyquin that wore a pink dress. Although it didn’t look much like a pink dress anymore… It didn’t even resemble pink. Seams were torn, threads were loosened and pieces of torn cloth and fabric were hanging everywhere. Beautiful gems and sparkling emeralds had been torn off and littered floor. Some chipped and broken beyond repair.
The white unicorn bit her hoof in utter disbelief. Her face then turned red and she stood there holding her breath while suppressing the rage that was building up inside her. Alex, feeling a bit in mortal danger, slowly tip-toed his way towards the door…

“YOU!”

Her angry shout made him freeze. He trembled as he turned around slowly and he saw the angry gaze in her eyes. He could almost swear that they were on fire. “YOU… YOU RUFFIAN! YOU HOOLIGAN! LOOK WHAT YOU’VE DONE!”

“I… I…”

“My fabulous Débutante is ruined! It was for Fancy Pants’ Evening Gallop Party at Canterlot. It wasn’t even finished! The Party is in two days! Do you have any idea how long it took me to design such a fabulous masterpiece?”

Alex gulped. “Um…”

“Hours of work… utterly RUINED!” she yelled while stepping on a broken ornament which belonged to the dress, making it crumble even more. “It took me weeks to order the items I needed and now it’s all but completely destroyed!” She huffed and angrily trotted to and fro in her rants. “Even with the fastest pegasi I’ll never be able to replace them all in time. Now I have to resort to one of my old dresses, and me promising them something new and original… I’ll never survive the ridicule and those shameful look in their eyes!” She lamented as she hung her head low.

Alex gulped again. “Look… I’m… I’m really sorry…”

“Sorry? You think ‘sorry’ is going to fix my dress in two days? I don’t need ‘sorry’, I need a MIRACLE!” She glared at him. Before she could think of a fitting punishment, she suddenly realized something and cocked her eyebrows. “Pardon me, but who or what are you anyway?”

“I’m… I’m human. My name is Alex. Please, I’m really, REALLY sorry!” he pleaded. “It was all an accident. I didn’t mean to…”

Suddenly, a familiar voice called in from outside. “RARITY? ARE YOU IN? IT’S ME, PINKIE PIE!”

Sweat poured down Alex’s face. He fell to his knees, crawled over and begged the white unicorn. “Please! Help me! I’ll do anything! Just don’t let her find me!” He held tight around her foreleg and whimpered. “PLEASE!”

The bewildered white unicorn just stared at Alex, looking into those pleading, desperate eyes of his. She suddenly smiled compassionately and patted him gently on the head.

“There, there… Don’t fret you poor dear. Just stay calm and little Rarity will handle this.” She whispered something in his ear, winked at him and trotted calmly out of the room, leaving Alex incredibly confused.

*****

Rarity closed the door to her Sewing Room and found Pinkie Pie bouncing up to her.

“Oh good, you’re home!” Pinkie Pie happily exclaimed as she stopped in front of her, still bouncing. “Have you seen Alex?”

“Alex?”

Pinkie stopped bouncing. “Alex! You know, a pony who’s not a pony. Walks on his hind legs, has hands and funny hair? Sounds a bit like you when scared?”

Rarity blinked. “Oh, you mean that ‘thing’ that crashed through the roof of my boutique?”

“Yesiree! Is he here? I want to give him a party he’ll never forget. EVER!” she said the last part in a loud whisper, followed by a somewhat creepy grin.

Rarity, rather puzzled by Pinkie’s behavior, smiled weakly. “Why yes, indeed I have.” She pointed to her sewing room, eyes welling up and her lower lip trembling. “That brute leveled my sewing room, destroyed all my supplies and ruined my fabulous Evening Débutante!” she wailed. She wrapped her hoof around Pinkie Pie for support and led her to the ruined room. She opened the door and gestured out her hoof. “Just look at all the destruction- Huh?”

She paused as she saw a tall object covered in sheets standing in the middle of the ruined room. She let out a tired sigh before returning to her act.

“T-Then that inconsiderate oaf fled out the window and-” she pointed towards the nearest closed window. “-and… closed it behind hi- hi- hi- him!” she chocked.

“Wow! How… considerate?” Pinkie responded somewhat confused.

“After him Pinkie! Avenge my dre- he- he -hess!” she wailed, collapsing on the floor and sobbing like a movie actress with her hoof across her forehead.

“Oki-doki-loki!” Pinkie smiled and bounced out the window with a cheer. “Weeee!”

CRASH!

“My window…” Rarity whimpered as the bouncing pink mare disappeared from view.

Rarity took a deep breath and calmed herself. With the damage to her room, what did one window matter? She then turned and trotted over to the large sheets. She removed the sheets with her horn, revealing Alex, standing there with his hands covering his eyes. She rolled her eyes. When she told him to hide, she didn’t mean 'cover-yourself-up-and-stand-still-in-the-middle-of-the-room' kind of hiding.
Surprisingly though, it worked.

“You can look now darling. She’s gone.”

Alex removed the hands from his eyes and let out a sigh of relief.

“Whew! Thank you so much. I thought I’d never escape her. You really saved my skin Miss..?” Looking at her more closely, Alex realized that she looked awfully familiar.

“You’re quite welcome darling. I’m Rarity by the way, proprietor of Carousel Boutique and one of the most famous fashion designer and seamstresses in all of Ponyville.” She proudly boasted as she grazed her beautiful mane with her hoof.

Alex was for a brief moment quite taken aback by Rarity’s looks; her sparkling, purple mane and tail in fine curls and her white coat emitting a radiant glow of white. On her flank, he noticed she had three jewels. This could possibly mean that she was a pony of exquisite taste and beauty, which played well with her love for fashion and design. He was nearly speechless.

‘If only I was born a horse…’

SLAP!

‘You’re not seriously reconsidering Pinkie’s idea are you??!’ his mind screamed as he slapped himself and shook that disturbing thought out of his mind. For now he was safe from Pinkie Pie, but he had a new problem…

Repaying the favor and paying for the mess.

“Miss Rarity…” He began, trying to sound more like a gentleman. “I know I said I would do anything. But I don’t have any Bits to cover the damages, so if there is anything I can do…”

“As a matter of fact, there is.” Rarity said, cutting him off. “If you would be so kind as to follow me…” She gestured, smiling as she trotted out of the room.

'Even her trot is graceful!' thought Alex as he watched her leave the room. He eyed her carefully, taking in the view of her flowing mane, her dazzling tail, her wonderful post…

SLAP!

‘She’s a pony!!! Get a grip, you idiot!’ his mind yelled as he slapped himself again. Blushing with shame, he quickly pulled himself together and followed her.

Alex followed Rarity to the main workroom. He was quite taken aback by the sheer number of clothes that decorated the shop. A popular singer he knew about would definitely go ‘gaga’ over the fabulous designs Rarity had created. If she was a pony, that is.
The fact that all these clothes were made simply for ponies amazed him, especially seeing how nearly every pony he had encountered thus far had no clothing what so ever. If it hadn’t been for their natural born coats, he would’ve immediately labeled them ‘naked’.

“These are just amazing!” exclaimed Alex, gaining Rarity’s attention. “You made these all by yourself?”

Rarity let out a modest laugh. “Well, I don’t like to brag, but yes. Every fabric you see, stitched and sown to perfection by yours truly, right down to the smallest detail. Course most of these are strictly for social companies and upper class elites. Though I sometimes dabble into the more ‘simpler’ things…”

Alex was impressed. Yet still he couldn’t fathom how a unicorn with hooves would have the ability to sow…

“Let’s see, where is it..? Ah, there it is!” Rarity’s horn glowed with a blue aura and levitated a roll of measuring tape.

'Magic… It was SO obvious.' Alex rolled his eyes at his own stupidity. It did however leave him with the question of how the other ponies, skilled in fashion, made their clothes without magic. Did they really use their hooves in some way, or their mouths?

“Alex dear, would you be so kind..?” Rarity gestured Alex to stand upright and still, while she measured him from his height, to the length of his arms and legs.

“If you want conformation, you can ask Fluttershy…” he joked.

Rarity, lost in her moment of inspiration, just ignored him and rushed over to a rack of clothes and immediately used her horn to summon a suit made for colts. It was a type of tuxedo, black with a bow tie (and a hat). Levitating a pair of scissors and needles with thread, she immediately started cutting and trimming down the suit, humming a cheerful melody. Alex watched with curiosity as she expertly sewed the trimmed pieces together. She was really in the zone.
What would normally have taken hours, she did it practically in less than 10 minutes! After emitting a cheerful yell of accomplishment, she trotted over to Alex.

“Huzzah! Now let’s begin. WARDROBE!” In a flash, a movable screen suddenly appeared and Alex quickly found himself pulled into a hurricane as Rarity wrapped him in her newly designed clothes. As the dust settled, Rarity removed the screen, revealing Alex in his new attire. She levitated a mirror over to him and he gawked at the image.

She had made him a sleek and fitting black tuxedo, with a tie and hat and everything (even a monocle). He was especially grateful that she made matching pants for him. There was a moment he dreaded that would be overlooked, seeing as how many of the male clothes mostly covered the upper half; possibly with the intention to show off their marks.
Missing only a cane, he suddenly felt one slip into his hand with Rarity’s magic, completing the set.

“My, you look smashing, darling!” Rarity exclaimed as she admired him in the mirror. Alex smiled and playfully adjusted his monocle. “Simply dashing for the Evening Gallop Party...”

Alex’s monocle fell as his eyes widened. “The ‘what’ now?”

Alex suddenly felt warm for some reason. It struck him that she had been overly generous to him. TOO generous! The angry mare that glared and yelled at him after he, without much effort, destroyed her work just moments ago suddenly wasn’t there anymore. He now wondered if she had taken his little ‘I’ll do anything’ offer a tad too seriously.

“Excuse me…” he nervously asked, pulling his neck collar. “Did you say ‘Evening Gallop Party’?”

“M-hm.” Rarity uttered as she put away her tools. “I just know we’ll be a smash hit you and I.” She looked at him, and her eyes seemed to sparkle.

“We?!?” Alex started to blush. He didn’t think a mare like her was into that sort of thing…

“Of course, darling. Why, you’re just what I need to raise a few eyebrows at Fancy Pants’ Party. Who cares about some new dress when I show off my new pet to the masses?”

Alex breathed a sigh of relief. “Whew! For a minute I thought- PET?!?” His world shattered like so many broken windows.

Alex quickly realized now what was happening. Rarity knew he wouldn’t be able to pay for the damages to her room and dress. And since he was such rare find, she immediately seized the opportunity to salvage the situation, by making him the center of attention as her new household pet. Showing off such an exotic find to the upper class would most definitely elevate her to popular status, and that would most certainly compensate for the damages.

Yet, the word ‘pet’ is what made him cringe. He could just imagine what would happen. He would arrive in a leash, forced to endure stares and gasps from fancy ponies at the mere sight of him. To add more dread, he would probably be forced to do demeaning tricks just to impress the uptight snob who’d likely throw tit-bits at him for a cheap laugh. Worse still, it wouldn’t be long before ponies like Twilight, Applejack, Fluttershy and Shudder! Pinkie Pie was all over him once word got out.

‘Sorry Miss Rarity…’ While Rarity was busy going through her line of clothes she would use for the party, Alex wormed his way out of his tuxedo and silently (yet clumsily) made his way out the boutique while slowly dressing himself in his own clothes. ‘…but I have too much dignity to be your pet.’

“Now let’s see, where did I put it..?” Rarity muttered as she combed through one dress after the other. Eventually she arrived at her greatest pride; the dress she wore at the Galloping Gala. While a bit too fancy for a social meeting like the Gallop Party, she figured she could tweak it down a bit. After all, she figured the ponies present there would barely notice her fashion wear as they would be too busy looking at her two-legged companion.

“Alex, dear… No, no, no! Too uncultivated… Alexander? Yes! That’s a great name!” Rarity lifted her dress with her horn and turned to face Alex. “This dress could go well without the pearls, what do you think…? Alexander?” She glanced down on the floor where Alex stood, finding only his tuxedo in a heap.
It suddenly dawned upon her that Alex was gone. She gasped and hurried to the main entrance of her boutique. She arrived just in time to see Alex as he ran away (or at least tried to), jumping on one leg as he struggled to put his pants on. “Alexander!”

Alex glanced over his shoulder as he heard Rarity call out to him. Wasting no time, he quickly got his pants on and ran as fast as he could.

“Alexander!? Why are you..?” Rarity suddenly realized what she had done. She cursed her thoughtlessness. “Wait! Stop, I didn’t mean to call you a pet! I meant to say my prized pet!”

‘Not helping Rarity!’

She dashed out of her boutique and hurried after him.

*****

Alex ran through the streets, trying to lose the white unicorn that was slowly gaining up on him.

“Alexander! Come back! You said you’d do anything!” Rarity yelled in a pleading voice, earning a few surprised glances from ponies who witnessed the chase. Alex ignored her cries and ran faster.

“Come back!” Rarity yelled.

Quickly rounding a corner, Alex soon found himself back at the marketplace. It was busy as usual. He quickly grabbed some filthy coverings that were lying nearby. He covered himself up, rushed into the crowd and disappeared just as Rarity caught up.
She saw disappear in the crowd upon arrival and immediately rushed in, only to quickly lose sight of him within seconds.

“Now where did he go?” She looked around and saw no sign of Alex anywhere. Everypony went about their business as if nothing was out of the ordinary. “How could he..?”
She knew Alex stood too far out to hide in a crowd of ponies. Alex had to lie low if he wanted to avoid being found out, so she only needed to be patient. She trotted calmly into the marketplace and mingled while she looked for him.

Hiding deeply within his coverings, Alex darted passed one curious pony after another. At one point did he bump into a mint colored one, but quickly moved away before the unicorn got a good look at him. He quickly dived beneath a nearby booth were a Sales Pony selling asparagus was busy serving a rather distinguished-looking pony couple. Alex carefully peered out from beneath the coverings of his hiding place and saw Rarity still looking for him, asking random ponies. He knew it wouldn’t be long before a pony pointed out where he was. He had to trick his way out somehow…

Rarity trotted about the marketplace, asking random ponies if they had seen her precious Alex, with surprisingly little success. With so many ponies around it seemed impossible that he could’ve disappeared so easily. She was about to try asking the Sale Ponies when she saw a distinguished earth pony couple walking towards her.
A blue earth pony stallion with a mustache wearing a clean west along with a tie and hat, and a milk white unicorn mare dressed in a beautiful cyan Southern Belle.

She decided to ask them first.

“Pardon me good Sir and Madam. But have you by any chance seen my pet?” The couple looked at eachother confused. Rarity then stood up on her hind legs and reached one hoof high above her head. “About this size... Rather poor taste in clothes... Hard to miss..?” she smiled hopefully.

The stallion took a moment to think. “Sorry Miss… Can’t say that we have.” said the stallion as he shrugged and looked to his wife. “Honey?”

“No, sorry hon.” the smiling mare replied.

“I see… Sigh! Well, thank you for your time…”

The couple nodded politely and trotted passed her. Rarity shot a long glance at the mare’s dress as she trotted by, being quite taken by it. She could tell it was a Canterlot brand and was amazed how flawless the seams and stitches were. The color was also quite captivating. The mare definitively had a good taste.

‘That’s a lovely dress,’ Rarity thought as she started to trot onward. ‘…though she really needs to do something with that posterior of hers. It’s quite an eye-’

SCREECH!

Rarity suddenly stopped. “Wait just one minute!” She again eyed the mare’s posterior more carefully and found it to be far too big for anypony her size. She rubbed her chin suspiciously. “Mm…”

“Oh Madam! Good Sir? Madam?” The couple stopped as Rarity called out and raced up to them, wondering what she wanted now. “Ahehe… Pardon me Madam, but may I..?” before the mare could answer, Rarity suddenly grabbed the dress with her magic and tore it clean off, finding a crouched down Alex hiding behind the mare.

“I KNEW IT!”

Alex yelped and ran off with Rarity following close behind, dropping the dress in the process.

“Come back here!”

The shocked mare trembled before screaming at the top of her lungs, upset over having been undressed in public and having had an alien creature hiding in her dress. With the ponies distracted by the mare’s scream, Alex quickly fled the marketplace with Rarity still in hot pursuit.

Dodging into a nearby alleyway between two shops, he stopped as he realized it was a dead end. Aside from a couple of trashcans and a barrel, there was nothing that showed any promise of escape as Rarity suddenly arrived and closed in on him.

“I’ve got you now darling!”

Alex suddenly looked at the trashcans again. He then had a brainstorm. A fashionista like Rarity was obviously obsessed with style and glamour. Maybe she had thing for neatness too? He grabbed the nearest trashcan and tipped it over, spewing its contents in front of Rarity.

“Eeew!” Rarity recoiled in disgust. If there was one thing she disliked, it was filth.

Alex smirked, grabbed the second trashcan and poured its content over the last. The smell and sight forced Rarity further away.

“Ew, ew, ew, EW!!!” She used her hoof to shield her nostrils from the foul stench. With the alleyway covered in garbage, her path to Alex was completely cut off.

Alex was safe, but only for a moment. He had to escape the trap he had cornered himself into. The only escape he saw was a downspout leading up to the roof of the nearest shop. Wasting no time he climbed the spout and steadily worked himself up to freedom.

Rarity started to panic. Her new pet was getting away. She switched between Alex and the garbage in front of her several times before nervously biting her hoof. “It’s not worth it…” she muttered to herself while backing up. “I mean, it’s only a party. Nothing special! Just Fancy Pants will be attending. Then there’s the Elite… The Nobles… The celebrities…” Her ears dropped. “Hoity Toity… Photo Finish… Sapphire Shore…” Her pupils shrank.

“Celebrity Gossip!”

Rarity’s eyes narrowed, filled with determination as she started to gallop back into the alley. She gained momentum as she approached the spread of garbage that seemed to stretch for miles. She gritted her teeth, closed her eyes and took a leap of faith.
Everything seemed to slow down as Rarity sailed through the air; her mane and tail gracefully flowing in the wind, her coat seeming to glisten in an otherworldly light as she flew over the sea of garbage with such graze.
As her hoofs touched ground, she let out a yell of cheerful triumph over having jumped the traitorous distance.

“WHOA-HA HAA!”

Alex gawked at her with complete bewilderment. Not only had she crossed his ingenious blockade, she was actually proud of having jumped a distance of 3 feet!

“Well, this has been quite invigorating…” She said, drawing her attention to Alex who was only a few inches from getting away. “…But now it’s time to go home.”

Alex suddenly felt a tingle all over his body. He noticed a faint blue aura beginning to cover him, while an unseen force began to pull him down. Alex wrapped his arms around the downspout and held on tight. Rarity was using her magic to force him down.
Rarity was used to retrieve animals from trees, especially her cat Opal. Retrieving Alex was no different. She knew he would resist, but it was only a matter of time before he let go.

Alex quickly found himself being pulled vertically as Rarity’s magic increased. He felt his arms beginning to slip. As the pull got stronger, he was only hanging by his fingers until he finally pulled the upper half of the pout from its hinges, causing him to finally let go. Alex could do nothing now but watch in defeat as he was slowly lowered down to the smiling white unicorn.

“FOR RARITY’S DRESS!!!”

Both Rarity and Alex looked back up the wall in surprise, and saw Pinkie Pie as she dived towards Alex. Her sudden appearance startled Rarity to the point that it broke her concentration. Alex fell hard to the ground, barely avoiding Pinkie Pie as she zoomed above him, straight at Rarity.

“PINKIE? WHA—GAH!”

“WEEEEE!”

SPLAT!

Alex opened his eyes and could barely contain his laughter at what he saw. Pinkie had crashed into Rarity alright. Sending them both right into the pile of garbage! Pinkie stood up and was surprisingly untouched by the filth.

“Whew! That wasn’t so bad!” Pinkie smiled. Rarity on the other hand, lying beneath Pinkie, was not happy. She had landed on her face. Her beautiful coat completely stained and her hair ruined. She slowly lifted her head from the filth and glowered at Pinkie Pie.

As Alex roared with laughter, he suddenly heard a whisper.

“Psst! Down here!”

Alex heard it coming from a barrel beside him. He could just scarcely make out a pair of eyes that peered out from beneath it.

“Quickly!”

Skeptical, Alex quickly saw this was his best chance to escape. He wasted no time and dove under the barrel. His mysterious savior quickly lowered the barrel just as Pinkie turned her sights back into the alley.

“Now where did he go?” Pinkie rubbed her hoof under chin. She leaped off Rarity, causing her to push her face back down in the trash.

SPLAT!

After quickly searching the alley, Pinkie figured that he must’ve run off while she was distracted. Still, that didn’t get her down. “Oh well, maybe he went this way?” She smiled as she bounced out of the alley, doing hopscotch on Rarity just as she was getting back up.

SPLAT!

“Sorry Rarity!” Pinkie giggled. Humming cheerfully, she bounced down the street. Rarity, with her face in the trash, let out a sad whimper.

*****

Surrounded by darkness, Alex took breather as he was relieved to have escaped both Rarity and Pinkie Pie. From what he could understand, he was in a tunnel beneath the town. Now there was the question of who his mysterious rescuer was…

“That was too close. Are you alright?” the voice asked. It sounded feminine.

Then the dim light of a lantern lit up as Alex could finally see the face of his rescuer. His eyes widened with disbelief. He never thought there could be another.

“You're... You’re human!?!”

Chapter 6: Color of Deception

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Chapter 6: Color of Deception

“You’re human!?!”

Alex couldn’t believe his eyes. Right in front of him, barely visible by lantern light, stood a human. A human GIRL! She appeared to be about his age. The shock of seeing her exited him so much it caused him to bump his head on the ceiling.

BUMP!

“OUCH!”

“Careful! The tunnel isn’t that big.” she said, supporting him as he wobbled from the dizziness.

“I just can’t believe it!” Alex said cheerfully while painfully rubbing his head. “A human girl! Like me!” The girl cocked her eyebrow in confusion. “I-I mean the human part, not the girl part!” His face was blushing ferociously with embarrassment, which made the girl giggle.

“Yes, I’m a human. Just like you.” She then glanced up and noticed dirt crumbling off the ceiling as pony hooves above could be heard. “Come on, we should get to safety before they realize we’re down here.” She grabbed Alex’s arm and quickly led him into the tunnel, using the lantern to guide their way.

“Wait a sec! Who are you? How did you get here?” asked Alex.

“My name is Violet, and the same way you did.” she replied.

“Violet..? Wait, you got sent here by that light too?”

“Yes.” Alex knew that light had something to do with it. “We have to hurry. If they’re searching the alley, they’ll probably find the entrance to the tunnel.”

Alex followed as Violet continued leading him down the tunnel. “Where are we going?”

“Someplace safe, where nopony will find us...”

“What?”

The girl suddenly stopped, causing Alex to crash into her with his nose. “I-I mean, where NO PONIES will find us!” She looked away in embarrassment. “Sorry… I’ve been here so long it’s rubbed off on me…”

“How long..?” asked Alex while rubbing his nose.

Violet let out a tired sigh. “Sigh! Too long…”

Their pace had slowed down now. Violet led the way while Alex followed close behind, with Violet’s lantern their only light source. As they continued through the dark tunnel, Alex saw the tired look in her eyes in the dim light of her lantern. It was clear to him that she must’ve been through a lot. He could relate. He had been in Equestria barely a day, and already he was sick of it.
Still, he was curious to know how she’d been able to stay under the ponies’ radar for so long. From what he understood so far, no pony had ever seen a human before. If what she said was true, wouldn’t they have known about her as well?

“Boy, you sure must have been very lucky!” he complimented Violet, who looked at him curiously by that remark. “Before I came here, no pony had ever seen a human like me before. How did you manage to hide without being found out?” The girl stopped again, causing Alex to bump into her again. “Could you warn me before doing that?”

Violet just stood there silently for a moment as if she were in deep thought. She then let out another tired sigh.

“I… I wasn’t that lucky…” She solemnly answered as she began to tell her story. “I was at home reading. Suddenly there was this light and… and somehow I woke up to find that I wasn’t at home anymore. Searching for help, I was spotted by a pony. A unicorn… I thought she wanted to help me. But… she tried to grab me. I ran away and she chased me. She nearly had me with that horn of hers…” she choked as she trembled. Alex understood how she felt. After encountering Twilight and Rarity, he knew how helpless he was in their magic. He was only lucky those times.
“She would’ve had me if I hadn’t fallen down that hole in the forest. She never found me after that, but I dared not go back out. I followed the tunnel and found this network of tunnels beneath the town. I’ve been living down here ever since.” She glanced up. “Sometimes I sneak out to find food and drink, but I’m always afraid they’ll find me one day…” she shivered.
Violet then calmed down. “But that doesn’t matter now. What matters is that now you’re here and I’m not alone anymore.” she suddenly hugged him, making Alex cheeks blush. Feeling calm and relaxed with her arms around him, Violet eventually broke away. “Come, we’re not that far from my hiding place.” She continued down the tunnel, stopping only when she realized that Alex wasn’t following. “Are you coming Alex?”

Alex, having been captivated by Violet’s story, snapped out of it and quickened his pace to keep up with her. There was a short moment where there was no talking. He was curious about this girl. While he was happy to finally come across someone of his own kind, there was something about her he quite couldn’t put his finger on. Suddenly, he stopped.

“What are you doing? We’ve got to get moving!”

“How did you know my name?”

“What do you mean? You told me earlier, remember?”

“No I didn’t. I asked for YOUR name. I never told you mine.”

Violet froze. It quickly dawned on her that he didn’t tell her his name. She just stood there with her back turned against him. Alex got curious.

“Well?”

“I… I heard them talking about you…”

“Who?”

“Twilight and that dragon Spike… I was helping myself to some leftovers behind the café when I overheard them talking about you. After I saw you running by, I overheard her talk about some kind of plan to capture you. I knew then I had to reach you first before they did. I was only lucky that you hadn’t already been caught by the others…” she turned around. “This is not a trick. You have to believe me…”

Alex sensed something still wasn’t right. This all seemed a bit too convenient.

“Where are you from?” he asked.

“What?”

“I said; where are you from?’”

“What kind of question is that? From Earth of course! Like you.” she answered.

“I know that. I just want to know which city you were from.”

“City?”

“Yeah! You see… I’m from-”

*****

“What are you doing?”

A pony couple on their way to the market found themselves staring at Pinkie Pie as she was lying on the ground in the middle of the road, with her ear pressed against the dirt. She tilted her head up and looked at them.

“What? You’ve never seen a pony listen to the ground before?” asked Pinkie grinning. She pressed her ear back against the ground. The couple continued to trot along, pretending to ignore what they had just seen. “Aw shoot! I missed it!”

*****

“-Where are you from?”

“I… I… Ehm…” Violet nervously bit into her index finger.

“Don’t you know where you’re from?”

“Of course I do!” she spat, making Alex flinch a bit. “Look, this is stupid! Why are you asking me this? We’re wasting time here and we should get to safety! Is it really that important for you to know where I’m from?”

“Well, yeah…”Alex crossed his arms. “You say you’re from Earth? Fine! But if you can’t tell me which city you’re from, I won’t take another step!”

“What?”

“This just doesn’t feel right.” He continued. “If I was trapped here as long as you, I would never forget the city I lived in.” Violet was starting to get really nervous. She could feel sweat running down her forehead. “And on top of that you’re acting weird. So I’ll ask again. What city are you from?”

“I… I can’t…” she became more and more nervous. “Alex please, it’s too embarrassing…”

“Violet… Just tell me.”

Violet breathed heavily as the pressure became too great. There was no way around it. She had to tell him. She put down the lantern and calmed down. She bit her lip as she worked up the courage to answer him.

“I’m from… Sigh! Manehattan…”

Alex smiled. “See? Was that so hard?”

Violet now just blinked, looking slightly confused.

“Wow, you weren’t kidding when you said you’d been here a long time…” he chuckled lightly, trying not to offend. “I mean, I would probably feel embarrassed too if I suddenly began to speak in ‘Pony-Talk’.”

Violet stared deadpanned at him for a moment. “Yes!” she nervously laughed. “Pony-Talk! Embarrassing… ” She blushed as she rubbed her arm.

Alex picked up the lantern and handed it over to her. Violet took the lantern and just looked at him as he smiled at her.

“Well then, ‘Violet from Manhattan’.” He winked. “Lead the way.”

*****

The tunnel seemed to go on forever. Violet was strangely quiet most of the way, eagerly leading Alex towards their safe haven. Alex felt tired as he suddenly dropped down and leaned against the wall. Violet took notice and stopped.

“What are you doing? We can’t stop now!”

“Just a moment…” Alex huffed.

Violet seemed to grow impatient. “But we’re so close now. You can’t just…”

“I just need a quick breather. I’ve been on the run ever since I got here. I just need this moment…” He then looked at Violet and patted his hand on the ground next to him. “Please, sit with me.”

Violet looked at him for a moment before she let out a tired sigh. She reluctantly sat down next to him but kept her eyes locked in the direction they were headed. Alex silently looked at Violet. Even in the dim light of her lantern, he couldn’t help but find her so incredibly pretty.

“Thank you…”

“For what..?”

“For saving me back there in the alley. If it hadn’t been for you…”

“It was nothing, really.” Violet replied, trying to act aloof. “You would’ve probably done the same…”

“I would!” he said, earning Violet’s direct attention. He took her hand and gently clenched his other hand around it. Violet just stared at him in bewilderment. “Believe me… I wouldn’t hesitate for a second. Even if it was someone else entirely, I still wouldn’t hesitate. And I’m really glad you didn’t.” Alex suddenly leaned his head close to hers.

“What are you doing?” Violet pulled her hand free and scooted away from him.

When Alex saw how she backed away from him, he immediately seized and mentally slapped himself. He had only just met her. No matter how grateful he was, he was apparently scaring her. He backed off.

“I’m sorry…” he quietly said. “I just… I just wanted to thank you…”

“You already did.”

“No. Not like that. But…”

“But what?”

Alex nervously bit his lips and said nothing. Curious, Violet scooted back over to him.

“Go on. But what?”

Suddenly, Alex saw his chance and leaned over to her. Before Violet could react, Alex quickly planted a kiss on her cheek. Violet froze, her pupils shrank and for some reason she began to blush greater than ever before.

“…like that.” he smiled.

Violet touched her cheek and just looked at him in utter surprise. Alex now felt ashamed for his actions. He only wanted to show her gratitude, but now feared that she took this unwarranted action the wrong way.

“I- IM SORRY! I didn’t mean-”

“Don’t be…” said Violet, smiling at him and still blushing. “You’re welcome.”

They sat staring at eachother for what seemed like forever before Alex finally felt more relaxed and stood up. He reached out his hand to Violet and gestured her to take it. “Shall we go?”
Violet stared at him before smiling again and took his hand. He helped her up on her feet and then they both continued through the tunnel, with Violet still leading the way.

“You know…” Alex said. “I’m really glad I met you, Violet.”

Violet glanced back at him.

“I really thought I was the only one trapped here. That I was all alone… But now that I’m with you, everything seems brighter now. I just know we’ll be the best of friends…”

Violet’s expression suddenly changed after he said that. Alex never noticed it, but if he had, he would have seen that it was a moment of slight regret.

*****

It wasn’t long before they finally reached their destination. The tunnel led into a large, dark room. Alex was glad to finally stretch himself as they had been walking hunched for quite a while.

“It’s up here.” Violet proceeded up a flight of stairs. Alex followed close behind. It wasn’t long before they approached a wooden latch. Violet opened the latch and light peered through it. Alex was slightly blinded by the light and briefly stopped before he felt Violet pull him by his jacket.

“Here we are!”

As Alex’s finally got used to the light, he took in his surroundings with amazement. From what he could tell, they appeared to be inside a large tree. Looking more closely, he noticed several shelves filled with books. It felt more like a library than a secret hideout.

He then looked at Violet. While in the tunnel, he never really got a good detailed look at her in the dark. But now in the light, he could really see how pretty she was. Standing there smiling. With her dark blue hair with pink and purple highlights and purple eyes. Wearing a schoolgirl uniform with a bowtie and complete with a lavender skirt with a star…

“Say... You look just like…” He then noticed he was standing on a red ‘X’ on the floor. “What the..?”

“SPIKE! NOW!!!”

Alex turned around and saw the little purple dragon pulling a lever, sending a large cage plummeting down on him. He didn’t have time to move and fell back as the bars slammed down around him.

BANG!

“Hahaa! We got him!” Spike happily cheered.

“YES!!! IT WORKED!” Violet cheered as she jumped up and down, clapping her hands.

Alex was bewildered and confused. He looked at Spike and then at Violet. “Violet? Wha-?”

Violet was suddenly covered in purple aura and her human figure faded, only to be replaced by that of Twilight Sparkle in a pony-sized schoolgirl uniform. Alex’s jaw dropped. He had been tricked.

“Good work, Spike! This cage is perfect!” Spike proudly held his chin up high. “And thank you so much. Your digging skills were a real help.”

Alex glanced to the right and saw a large dog (or at least something that resembled a dog) standing on its hind legs, its large arms for support as it stood hunched over, wearing a slightly torn and filthy vest.

“A pleasure Magic Book Pony.” It said in a gruff voice. “And your promise?”

“Of course!” Twilight grinned. “I always keep my promise, even to Diamond Dogs.” She turned her attention to Spike. “Spike, the gems please.”

“What? My gems?!” Spike uttered in surprise. “But Twilight, that’s my…”

“I know Spike, but after all that work he did digging that tunnel, I think you can part with some,”

Spike tried to protest, but gave up and begrudgingly went up the stairs. He came back with a heavy bag, walked up to the Diamond Dog, opened it and handed out a gem. “Sigh! Here you go…”

“Thank you dragon!” the Diamond Dog said, reaching out its paw, only to grab the bag instead. Spike grumbled at the greedy Diamond Dog, but shrugged as he took solace in that he still had a gem he could snack on. He licked his lips and opened his mouth wide.
"Almost forgot!" Before he could enjoy his snack however, the dog snagged it as well, causing Spike to painfully chomp down on nothing but air.

With his payment in full, the Diamond Dog turned to Twilight. “Pleasure doing business with you. Good bye Magic Book Pony!” The dog smiled and bowed. He then tore up the floor boards beneath him and dug himself out of the library.

“You know, there was a front door!” Twilight shouted after him, realizing he was already gone. She frowned. Hiring a Diamond Dog to dig the tunnel probably wasn’t the best idea ever, but they rarely asked questions. She quickly waved it off as she closed up the hole and repaired the floor with her magic, knowing her plan had worked to perfection.
Spike however was completely forlorn for the loss of his gems and tears slowly welled up in his eyes.

“Don’t worry Spike. When I’m famous, you’ll get all the gems you want.”

“Really?”

“Of course!” she smiled. “Now stay here and keep a watch on our friend while I finish packing my quills and change out of this.” She trotted up the stairs to her room as Spike threw a salute.

“Yes, Sir- I mean, Yes Ma'am!”

Alex, having watched and listened through the bars of his cage, slumped back against the bars and hung his head low. He couldn’t believe he had been so stupid. He should have seen it the moment he saw her. The way she acted, the way she talked and how she kept urging him onward. He had to give her credit though; it was a really clever plan. Playing on his fear and loneliness…

“Pretty impressive cage, don’t you think? I made it myself.” Alex hardly acknowledged Spike’s boasting as he listened from inside the cage. “You’ll really like Trotholm. I’ve heard they’ve famous for their oatballs.” Alex finally glanced at him with a half-curious look.
“They’ve also got lots of places to see.” He listed the names on his claws. “Let’s see… There’s Trotholm Palace, the great carousel at Green Pasture. Ooh! Ooh! And then there’s Neighricsson Globe! I’ve only seen pictures. I can’t wait to go! Aren’t you excited?” As cheerful as Spike sounded, Alex was too depressed. Spike noticed this and began to look concerned. “Hey… Are you okay?”

“I’m ready!” Twilight yelled as she cheerfully trotted down the stairs without her school uniform, equipped only with a saddlebag of books, quills and various research papers. Suddenly she remembered something and slapped her forehead. “Silly me! I completely forgot the train tickets.” she looked to Spike. “Spike, could you please run upstairs and get them for me? I’ll just make our friend here ready for the trip.”
Spike took one more concerned glance at Alex before going up the stairs. Twilight went through a trunk and magically levitated a large blanket.

“Perfect!” She trotted over to Alex. “I hope you don’t mind, but I must cover you up so nopony (especially Pinkie Pie and Rarity) sees you until we reach Trotholm.” As she was about to cover him up, she too noticed the depressing state he was in. He then glanced at her and she saw the sadness and anger in his eyes. Twilight’s smile quickly vanished as the guilt finally made its presence felt.
“Look… I’m really sorry about all this.” Alex just looked away. “But this is the only way I can get you to come with me. You must understand, I’m only doing it because-”

“I thought I had a friend…” Alex muttered sadly.

“…?”

He then glared at her again. “You lied to me…”

Twilight eyes widened and her mouth dropped as the words stung her.

“You lied to me and played me like a fool. I really thought I had a friend…”

Twilight remembered the moments in the tunnel. She tried to say something, but felt a large lump in her throat. She never wanted to hurt him in any way, but now she had done it in the worst possible way. She had pretended to be a friend and betrayed him so casually.

“I should’ve seen it… I really thought you were a girl from Manhattan. Why didn’t I see it?”

Twilight blushed. “Ehm…” She didn’t have the nerve to tell him it was only by random luck she chose that city. The mere idea of both cities sounding so conveniently alike really baffled her. It even made her more curious to learn more about his world.

“How did you do it?” he asked. Twilight tilted her at the side, unsure about the question. “How did you become Violet?”

Twilight was silent for a moment before answering. “It was a simple Trans-Morphing spell.” She sighed. “I only had to picture you in my mind. Then it was only a matter of casting the right spell and let it mold me into a female version of your kind based on your anatomy after I scanned you in the forest. The result was the Violet you met in the tunnel.” Alex didn't ask anything else. It didn't matter anymore.
“I’m really sorry about tricking you like this, Alex.” Twilight’s eyes started to well up. “I only hope you can forgive me. For I promise I’ll make this up to you once we get back from Trotholm.” Alex didn’t say anything. He knew her words wouldn’t mean a thing once the Government Ponies (if there was such a thing) came to take him away. Alex lowered his head and hid his face beneath his folded arms.

Twilight raised her hoof and tried to say something but found herself unable to. She knew she had hurt him badly, but it couldn’t be helped. She covered him up with the blanket and sighed. This was a once in a lifetime opportunity for her, and Alex had to realize that his participation would not only change her life, but also his. She dried the tears from her eyes as she took a deep breath.

'I know I’m doing the right thing!’ She thought to herself. 'Whether he likes it or not, he’s safe with me. And I promise I’ll make it up to him somehow…'

She then suddenly found herself touching her cheek, the one that Alex had kissed. Her ears dropped and she sighed once more.

“I got the tickets!” Spike yelled as he came down the stairs. Twilight shook her head and pushed her sad thoughts aside. Her work needed to be finished.

“Good job, Spike!” Twilight smiled as Spike jumped on her back. She used her horn, and her magical aura enveloped the covered cage. “Now let’s hurry and get to the station. The train leaves in only a few minutes.” Using her horn, she levitated the cage and trotted quickly out the front door of the library and closed it.

Alex didn’t really know what to think or believe, as he still sat there on the floor of the library. Did what he witnessed just actually happen? A smile crept across his face as the realization hit him and he chuckled.

'Maybe next time you should remember to lock the bottom part after you trap someone...'

Alex opened the door of the library and looked around for any sign of Twilight or other ponies. Seeing the coast was clear, he leapt out of the library and made his escape.

“So far so good.” Alex whispered to himself. “Looks like Twilight will be heading off to Trotholm with an empty cage if I’m lucky. Snicker! Serves her right tricking me like that. Making me think she was human. Making me think she was my friend. Making me-”

SCREECH!

Alex suddenly stopped. His body was shivering. The pupils in his eyes shrank as cold sweat ran down his forehead. A very disturbing thought just made him realize something.

“Oh my Lord… I KISSED A HORSE!!!”

*****

Twilight hurried to the train station, with Spike hanging on by her mane and the covered cage in tow. She suddenly heard the sound of a whistle as they approached.

“The train is about to leave! Hang on Spike!” She picked up her pace, galloping as fast as she could to reach the train. “We’re almost there..!”

“HI TWILIGHT!”

CRASH!

The resulting collision caused Spike to be thrown off Twilight. After tumbling around on the ground, Twilight slowly sat up, feeling groggy as she narrowed her eyes on the dizzy pink pony beside her.

“Owie…”

“Pinkie Pie!? What are you…?”

CLANG!

Twilight saw stars as the cage collided with her head at full speed. The resulting collision caused the blanket to be thrown off as the magic ceased and the cage tumbled to a rough stop on the ground.

“OH NO!” Fearing for Alex’s wellbeing, she quickly shook off the pain, pulled herself up and raced towards the cage. “ALEX! ARE YOU AL-” she stopped and gawked at the cage as she quickly noticed it was empty. “Wha..? WHAT???” She levitated the cage and examined it from top to bottom.

“Hey Twilight…” Pinkie said as she shook swirling cowbells off her head. “I’m so glad I found you. I was going to visit you when I saw you running. Were you going somewhere? If you were going somewhere, you should have told me. I’ve would’ve have thrown you ‘Good-Bye-and-Come-Back-Soon’ Party. But if you didn’t tell me, then you should’ve, because going away and not tell anypony is impolite. But you are my friend so I forgive you. Why are you carrying a cage and blanket?”

CLANG!

Twilight dropped the cage and her left eye began to twitch. She bit her lip and her face became contorted with rage. She started fuming and her face turned bright red.

“Oh that’s right!” Pinkie continued. “I almost forgot. I wanted to see you and ask if I could borrow that-”

“SPIKE!!!”

Spike, having been thrown into a luggage cart during the collision, struggled to pull his head out one of the damaged suitcases.

POP!

After pulling his head free, he was suddenly enveloped by Twilight’s magic and pulled towards the angry mare. Pinkie just stood silently by and watched.

“Spike..?” She hissed through her gritted teeth as she showed him the cage and scowled. "Did you forget to lock the bottom part of the cage?”

Spike, hanging up-side-down, looked at the cage. He then pulled out the blueprints from behind his back and looked them over. His eyes widened and he chuckled nervously. “Eh hehe… Ops..?”

“GROAN!”

Throwing an incredibly annoyed fit, Twilight dropped Spike on his face and galloped back to the library. Spike quickly picked himself up and ran after her.

“THAT’SOKAYI’LLTALKTOYOULATER!!” Pinkie yelled as Twilight vanished into town, with Spike struggling to keep up.

Twilight couldn’t believe her lousy luck. Twice Alex had escaped her, and was probably far away from the library by now. She had to get him before anypony else did. She galloped through town, looking frantically down every corner and alleys, inside barrels and garbage cans, beneath food carts and even inside the local mailmare’s mailbag.

“Hey Twilight, what’cha doing?”

Twilight stopped to a halt, causing Spike to crash into her hind legs as she looked up at the cloud above her. She had no choice now, and this pegasus was the only one she could rely on to find him.

“Rainbow Dash!”

Chapter 7: Taste the Rainbow

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Chapter 7: Taste the Rainbow

“Hey Twilight, what’s up?” Rainbow Dash asked as she swooped down from her cloud and hovered in front of Twilight. "Besides me that is." she giggled.

“Rainbow Dash! I need your help!” Twilight begged.

“My help?” said the cyan pegasus, looking rather eager. She immediately touched down and saluted Twilight. “Rainbow Dash is always willing to help! What is it? A stampede? Cider shortage? Dragon attack? Is Canterlot in danger?! Let me at ‘em! I’ll hoof’em straight ways from Sunday!” She stood on her hind legs, jumped about and flayed her hooves in the air in a fighting position.

“Not that kind of help…” Twilight said giving Rainbow an awkward look. Rainbow Dash settled down as Twilight explained. “Look, I need you to find somepony for me…”

“A ‘Search and Retrieval’ mission! Gotcha!” Rainbow winked. “Don’t worry, I’ll find this pony, no sweat!”

“Not a pony.”

Rainbow cocked an eyebrow. “Huh?”

“You can’t miss him. He is the only one in town without hooves…”

“Ahem!” Twilight glanced down at Spike who frowned at her.

“…besides Spike.”

“Not a pony?” Rainbow was puzzled. “What is he then?”

“NO TIME TO EXPLAIN!” yelled Twilight as she grabbed Rainbow Dash by her shoulders and shook her frantically. “JUST GO AND FIND HIM QUICKLY!”

“Woah! Woah! Settle down girl!” Rainbow pulled away and held up her hooves to try and calm Twilight down. “Now calm down and tell me what’s going on!”

“Please Rainbow! The more we delay, the further he’ll get away!”

“Why? What makes him so important?” asked Rainbow as she cocked an eyebrow. “Did he steal something from you? I got it! He borrowed a book and now you want it back!”

“No.”

“He insulted you! He called you a bookworm and you want to teach him a lesson?” She slammed her hooves eagerly together.

“No.”

“He’s a horrible creature from another dimension and now you've got to find him before he lays waste to Ponyville and all of Equestria!” she exclaimed in a terrified voice.

“Close, but no.”

There was a long pause.

“Is he your colt-friend?”

Twilight blushed. “NO!!!” That outburst caused Rainbow to fall over backwards. “No! No! NO! It’s nothing like that!”

“Then what?” Rainbow asked even more confused as she quickly got back up.

“He’s…” Twilight bit her lips and then sighed. “Sigh! He’s very special. His name is Alex. I really need to get him back.”

“What’s an ‘Alex’?”

“Please Dash! You’re my only hope!”

Rainbow saw the pleading expression in her eyes. She could tell this was important to her. In the end she decided to help her friend. “What do you want me to do?”

“Just search the town for him. If you see him, give me a signal and hold him until I arrive!”

“Right! You can count on me!” Rainbow saluted and was airborne in a flash. Twilight looked up in the direction Rainbow flew and hoped that she wouldn’t do anything rash once she found him. Spike, having pulled himself up from the ground, dusted himself off and looked at Twilight with concern.

“Are you sure this is a good idea Twilight?”

“I don’t really have much choice, Spike.” She then smiled at her little assistant and rubbed his head. “Don’t worry. Rainbow Dash is the most loyal pony there is. I’m sure nothing will go wrong.”

Despite Twilight’s assuring attitude, Spike couldn’t help but wonder…

*****

Rainbow Dash swooped across town, looking carefully for anything out of the ordinary. It wasn’t long before she eventually spotted something sneaking out of an alleyway. It walked on its hind legs, wore clothes and had hair on its head. It looked too scrawny for a Diamond Dog and was most definitely not a pony. She landed on a nearby roof, observing him sneaking out of the alley with a nervous look on his face.

“Is that the thing Twilight was talking about?” Rainbow asked herself curiously. “He doesn’t look anything special…”

“THERE YOU ARE ALEX!”

Both Rainbow and Alex turned in the direction of the sound and saw Pinkie Pie as she galloped at full speed towards him. Alex froze as the smiling pink mare increased her speed, overcoming obstacles with great ease as she had her eyes fixed on her prize. Alex backed himself against a wall, too afraid to move.

Rainbow quickly became concerned. She had promised Twilight to find this creature for her, and now it seemed Pinkie had beaten her to it. Knowing she could not get to him in time, she watched helplessly as Pinkie leaped towards him, ready to grab him.

“WAIT!!!”

SCREECH!

The sound of tires screeching was heard as Pinkie suddenly stopped in midair at Alex’s outburst. There was a moment of tense silence as Alex and Pinkie just stared at each other.

“…I’m over there!” Alex pointed in the other direction.

“Oh!” Pinkie chirped. Still suspended in the air, she suddenly turned around and dashed off in the direction Alex pointed. He watched as the pink pony disappeared around a corner, leaving a trail of dust behind her.

Alex was utterly amazed and nearly speechless. “I can’t believe that worked…”

‘I can’t believe that worked!’ thought an even surprised Rainbow Dash as she had watched the whole thing, her eyes wide with disbelief. She knew Pinkie was random, but she never thought she was THAT random. Having shaken off what she had just seen, she realized that the creature called ‘Alex’ was now using his chance to slip away.

“Alright! It’s ‘Dash’ Time!”

Rainbow quickly dashed off into the air. She circled several times in the air in a loop, creating a colorful spiral before she shot down towards him.

****

Nearby, Twilight, with Spike hanging on, galloped through town before she looked up and saw Rainbow’s colorful spectacle.

“That’s the signal! She found him!” She exclaimed with glee. “See Spike, I knew we could count on her!” She picked up the pace and headed towards the other side of town where Rainbow was.

*****

Having just barely escaped Pinkie once again, Alex hurried down the road that led out of town. He had had enough of this crazy town and its crazy ponies. Suddenly, a cyan blur zoomed passed him, followed by a multicolored contrail and grinded to a halt in front of him. He stopped dead in his tracks and saw it was a cyan pegasus with a rainbow mane and tail, taking position and blocking his path. On her flank he saw she sported a cloud with a rainbow lightning bolt.

“That’s far enough, ‘Lexy’!”

Alex blinked. ‘Lexy?’

Rainbow smirked as she scraped her hoof on the ground and snorted, making herself look more threatening so as to keep him in place. “I don’t know what Twilight wants with you but I’m sure it must be really important…”

Alex knew it was only a matter of time before Twilight realized her error and had obviously sent this pegasus to hunt him down. He was not going to let Twilight catch him again. He had to get rid of her somehow.
Eyeing her a bit more closely, he realized that he had seen her somewhere before.

“What are you? Are you a spy? Are you an alien?” She glared at him as she began to interrogate him. “If you’re planning something evil, then you can forget it. No one causes trouble in Ponyville while I’m around or my name isn’t…”

“Rainbow Dash?”

Rainbow’s eyes grew wide with surprise. “How do you know my name?”

Alex stared blankly for a moment before he had an idea and smiled. “Why… Everyone knows about Rainbow Dash!”

“You… You heard of me?!?” she asked perplexed. She knew she was famous around Ponyville, but she never knew her reputation would be known to a creature like him. A smile slowly crept across her face.

“Of course I’ve heard of you.” Alex grinned. “Every pony I’ve met has always talked about Rainbow Dash and how she is the greatest.” he lied as he sported the biggest and fakest smile on his face. “I’ve always dreamed of meeting you.”

“Well, I am the fastest flyer in all of Equestria.” Rainbow boasted. “There is no pegasus alive who is faster than me.”

Alex was quite surprised at how Rainbow Dash easily changed her demeanor. For a pony who was ready to pounce on him just moments ago, she quickly relished herself in the attention she got. It was clear to him that she liked to be in the spotlight.

“Not to mention Wonderbolt trainee and soon to be future core member of the Wonderbolts!” she exclaimed, her wings flaring up as she struck a proud pose.

“The Wonderbolts? Wow! Really?” Alex had no clue what Rainbow was talking about, but as long as she was distracted, he didn’t really care. All he had to do was play along and hopefully find a way to get her out of his hair.

“That’s right. They’ll be visiting Ponyville for one of their air-shows in a few days, and I’ve been selected to be part of the opening ceremony. I’m gonna show them just how awesome I really am. I’ll show off all my special moves. Including my newly developed and secret flying technique, codenamed the Really Awesome & Impressive New Best Original Wonder! Or, the R.A.I.N.B.O.W. as I’d like to call it.”

“Wow!” Alex said with the most impressively fake awe he could muster. He also couldn’t help roll his eyes at that. “That’s sounds really awesome! I’m such a huge fan! You sure you can’t tell me what it is?”

Rainbow laughed. “Well… It’s kind of a secret. Nopony is supposed to know about it just yet.”

“Well then you’re in luck, because I’m not a pony.”

Rainbow had to agree that he did have a point. “Well… Okay.” She looked around in case anypony was nearby and gestured him to lean in closer as he whispered it in his ear. “It’s a Super Sonic Rainboom Spin Dive!” she boasted.

“WOW!” Whatever it was, it sounded quite impressive. He then had an idea. He knew it was a long shot, but he had to try. “That sounds awesome! Could you show it to me? Just this once? Please?”

Rainbow Dash was quiet for a moment. “Uh…”

“Come on! Please? I really wanna see it!”

“I don’t know…” said Rainbow as she scratched the back of her head. “It’s kind of a secret and I’m saving it for the Wonderbolts-”

“Pretty please!” Alex begged. “I’ve always wanted to see you do those famous stunts of yours, but that one sounded COOLAWESOMAZING! I just have to see that one! Please?”

‘Coolawesomazing?’ It sounded like something Pinkie Pie would say, but Rainbow liked it. Still she really didn’t want to break her own promise. She had been very careful and making sure that no pony was around during her practices and she wasn’t about to just throw it all away due to a fanboy’s request.

“Look kid, I know you want to see it, but I really can’t do it right now. I can show you my other tricks. Like my Filly Flash. It’s…”

“NO! I wanna see that new move! It sounds way more awesome!” Alex demanded. He knew it would distract her long enough for him to get away.

“I don’t…”

“Prettyprettyprettyprettyprettypretty prettyprettyprettyprettypretty-PLEASE!”

Rainbow looked at his pleading eyes and bit her lower lip. She had promised herself she would save the stunt not just for the Wonderbolts, but for the town as well. She had practiced too long and hard for her surprise to be spoiled so soon.

“No!” She answered sternly as she put her hoof down. “I promised myself I would never show it to anypony before the show!”

Alex started to worry. He knew it wouldn’t be long before Twilight arrived, and Rainbow wouldn’t let him simply waltz out of town. He decided to try a different approach. He didn't like it, but it was his last resort.

“Bet you can’t do it!” he said wryly. Rainbows ears perked up in surprised shock. “In fact, I’ll bet you just made that up. That move sounds WAY too awesome for some pony like you to pull off.”

Rainbow glared at him. She wasn’t going to be called a liar. Especially from some non-pony! As much as she hated it, she had no choice.

“So you don’t think I can do it, huh?”

“I don’t think. I KNOW you can’t.” Alex said with a smug look on his face.

“Like Hay you do! I can even do it with my eyes closed!” She glared at him, becoming more frustrated.

“Prove it!” Alex stuck out his tongue at her, adding fuel to the fire.

“Alright! Just watch!” In a flash, she disappeared into the sky.

‘Sucker!’ With Rainbow finally gone, Alex quickly seized the opportunity to hurry out of town without looking back.

Rainbow Dash flew as high as she could above Ponyville. Having reached the acquired altitude, she closed her eyes and dove back down at high velocity. She dived so fast that she passed beyond Mach 5. She then went into a spin and caused her widely talked about Sonic Rainboom.

BOOM!

It exploded in a spectacular wide spectrum of spinning colors that spread itself across the sky like a maelstrom. It was followed by a spectacular firework of colors that trailed behind a spinning rainbow cycle that covered the whole sky for a few brief but memorable seconds.

*****

“Ooooooh~!”

The rainbow spectacle caught every pony’s attention. Some even pulled out their cameras and photographed it. Twilight and Spike, who were now only a few blocks away, saw it too.

“What in the name of Celestia is she doing?”

*****

Alex, who was running the opposite direction, was too preoccupied with getting out of town to pay any attention to what was happening above him. Whatever it was, it served as a blessing as ponies were too focused on the spectacle to pay him any attention.

*****

Having completed her Super Sonic Rainboom Spin Dive, she broke free and headed back to Alex. She stopped short a few feet above ground and landed gracefully, her eyes closed with satisfaction of her accomplishment.
“Well? What did you think?” She gloated. “Was that awesome or wha-?” The words froze in her mouth as she opened her eyes and realized that Alex had disappeared. He had left during her demonstration. “What? But... But he said… Why did he..?”

Rainbow just stood there gawking silently until Twilight finally arrived. “Rainbow Dash? What was all that about? And where is Alex? Weren’t you supposed to hold him..?”

Rainbow ignored her and instead overheard two pony stallions with Press hats and cameras that suddenly cantered passed them, one earth-pony and one pegasus. “That was awesome! I got lots of pictures!” said the earth pony.

“Me too!” smiled the pegasus. “These are going straight to the Equestrian Daily’s! All of Equestria is going to want to read about this!” He then flew off.

“What? No wait!” Rainbow quickly zoomed passed the earth-pony and stopped him while still hovering in the air. “You can’t print that! It’s supposed to be a surprise for the Wonderbolts! You can’t…”

“Sorry Miss! Freedom of the Press and all that!” With that the Press Pony galloped passed her and disappeared down the street.

“But… but…” At a loss for words, Rainbow dropped onto the ground in defeat. Her secret surprise was out.

Realization soon hit her like a ton of bricks as she figured out what Alex had done and made her do. She felt a burning anger build up from within her and gritted her teeth. Twilight and Spike noticed the burning anger in her eyes. “He… He tricked you, didn’t he..?”

“THAT… LITTLE… JERK!!!” Rainbow yelled, causing Twilight to flinch and Spike to hide behind her. “How dare he make a foal out of me!” she snorted.

“Easy Rainbow…” Twilight tried to calm her friend. “Just breathe and focus. If we hurry, we can still catch him…”

“Sorry Twilight!” Rainbow growled. “I don’t know what you want him for and I don’t care! Nopony tricks me like that and gets away with it! NOPONY!” She reared back and her wings flared up. “I’m gonna make him PAY!” She dashed off into the sky and flew after Alex.

“Rainbow Dash, NO!” Twilight yelled. “I need him!” But Rainbow Dah was long gone. Fearful for Alex’s safety and health( not to mention the risk of losing the Hoofbel) Twilight immediately set off after her, with Spike grabbing on to her tail just in time and hanging on for dear life.

*****

Alex had finally left Ponyville. He stopped running as he caught his breath and looked over his shoulder, eyeing the town behind him. He sighed with relief.

“Man! If I ever set foot in that town again, it’ll be too soon!” he said to himself. Considering everything that had happened so far, he decided he’d rather take his chances in the wild. “Not many ponies in the wild…” He paused. “Can’t believe I just said that…”
He sighed as he glanced in the direction of the Everfree Forest, the place where he first arrived and where the madness began.

High above the outskirts of Ponyville, Rainbow Dash scoured the landscape for Alex with a hateful glare. The thought of him playing her for a fool still aggravated her. It wasn’t so much of what he did, as it was more about what SHE did. She was the Element of Loyalty! It was not in her nature to fail. And a simple task such as finding and apprehending some unknown creature should have been a snap. Instead she allowed herself to be smitten by a supposed ‘fan’ that played her like an idiot. The thought of her ignoring her mission just to entertain some creature she’d never before laid eyes upon annoyed her greatly.
Just then, she spotted a figure on the ground heading away from town close to the Everfree Forest. She recognized it and smiled menacingly before swooping down towards it. “Gotcha!”

KA-BLAM!

Alex was stopped dead in his tracks as a lightning bolt suddenly struck down in front of him. It startled him so much he fell backwards. Utterly confused, Alex looked straight up, only to see there wasn’t a cloud in the sky.

“Darn it! Missed!”

Alex turned towards the sound of the voice and saw it was Rainbow Dash. Pushing a dark cloud..?

“Hold on a sec…” she reared her hind legs and bucked the cloud, causing it to spark with electricity before sending a bolt of lightning down upon him. Alex, with surprisingly quick reflexes, pulled himself up and dodged the bolt before it struck him.

KA-BLAM!

"Careful! You almost hit me!” Alex shouted. ‘How is she using that cloud?!? It’s impossible!!!’

“Oh! I’m sorry. Let me try again!” Rainbow bucked the cloud again twice and sent two bolts down. Alex again jumped aside, evading the bolts by mere inches.

KA-BLAM! KA-BLAM!

“Hey!” Alex yelled. This was getting too close for comfort.

“Will you stand still?” Rainbow shifted the cloud around for a bit and prepared for another shot.

“Whoa! Whoa! WHOA!!!” Alex shouted, waving his hands in the air. “What are you doing? Are you seriously trying to hurt me?!”

“You humiliated me!” Rainbow glared at him. “Tricking me like that! You have no idea how seriously ticked I am!”

“That’s it? You’re angry because I tricked you?” Having been tricked just recently, Alex knew how it felt. He just never expected a reaction like that from her.

“No… I’m also angry because you didn’t even LOOK!” Rainbow sent down another bolt.

Alex screamed and ran away.

KA-BLAM!

“HEY! GET BACK HERE!” Rainbow made a loop and pushed the cloud after him. Trailing close behind him she began punching the cloud repeatedly, sending small but nasty bolts down upon him. Alex found himself running about as his path constantly got cut off by one bolt after another. He felt like a duck in a shooting gallery. “STAND STILL! I’m just gonna singe ya!”

Alex just ran. ‘NO CHANCE! I HATE LIGHTNING!!!’ Besides, that would only be the least of his worries.

While annoyed that she couldn’t hit him, Rainbow was impressed that he was able to avoid her bolts like that. “You can’t dodge me forever!” She taunted.

Alex knew she was right. It was only a matter of time before she got a lucky shot. He could never outrun her in the open, so he decided to risk it and try reasoning with her.

“Look, I’m sorry I did that!” He yelled as he stopped and begged. “I’m really, REALLY sorry!”

“Yeah. Sure!” She spat. A kick to the cloud sent a sudden shower of rain down upon Alex, soaking him.

‘She… She made it rain?!??’

“I spent months perfecting that move. It was going to be my biggest surprise! I promised myself to never let any pony see that move until the Wonderbolts arrived. Everypony in town saw that move, and soon it’s just going to be yesterday’s news! How in Equestria am I going to come up with a move to top that?!” She reared up to ready up a new shot, a big one this time. “I’m going to make your life a living Tartarus!”

Alex was shaking. He had to find a way to get away from her.

As luck would have it, he realized that the Everfree Forest was really close by now. While he didn’t like the idea, it was his only chance of escape. Rainbow Dash would be unable to get a clear shot at him through the high trees and thick foliage. Just as she was about to unleash her biggest bolt yet, Alex ran straight into the forest.

“HEY!” She watched as he disappeared from view. “You think I’m scared of the Everfree Forest? Think again!” She kicked away the cloud and dived into the forest, carefully dodging the trees she closed in on Alex.

Alex could see Rainbow Dash closing in on him. He was amazed how agile she was and quickly realized it was pointless to outrun her on foot. Just then, he noticed a tree branch with long vines hanging from it. He had an idea and prayed the pegasus was too focused on him to pay attention.

Alex was nearly within Rainbow’s grasp, when he suddenly made an unexpected turn. With quick reflexes she turned blindly in the same direction. Suddenly, Rainbow felt something wrap around her, tightening around her body and legs. She suddenly stopped with a jolt in midair and swung backwards.

“Hey?! What the-?” Rainbow found herself hanging upside-down, her torso and legs wrapped up in vines. She tried to force herself free using her wings, but the vines held firm. She looked like a fly caught in window tape. She then looked ahead at Alex, who had briefly stopped to watch Rainbow’s little amusing predicament. He then made a mocking salute and smirked as he ran into the woods. “Hey! Get back here, you!” She yelled angrily, quickly sinking her teeth into the vines to pull herself free.

Making good distance between himself and Rainbow, Alex knew it was only a matter of time before she freed herself. He stopped at small clearing and quickly scoured for a place to hide and, much to his relief, found a cave just by the side of a rock wall.

After a while of struggling, Rainbow Dash finally freed herself and quickly resumed her chase, fully intent on catching him and give him what for. As she reached the clearing, she realized she had lost track of him. She looked around, but could not find any trace of him. Frustrated by having lost him, she flew off to gain altitude in hopes of spotting him from the air.

Alex, having concealed the cave with thick branches, watched as Rainbow flew away. He leaned back with a sigh of relief. He had quite literary dodged a speeding bullet. As he sat there, breathing comfortably, he didn’t notice a series of eyes watching from the dark. Suddenly, Alex felt a fouls stench in the air. His ears perked as he also heard a faint growl coming from behind him. He began to sweat as he realized that wasn’t alone in the cave. He slowly turned his head and looked at glowing eyes that stared menacingly at him.

“GAH!!”

Alex dove out of the cave and scrambled away from the entrance. He turned and slowly backed away while eyeing the creature as it emerged from the cave. It was soon joined by three others. Alex was completely baffled. The creatures had the form and appearance of a wolf, but they were completely covered in wood. Looking closely, he realized that they really were made of wood!

‘You gotta be kidding me!’ he thought. One the larger creatures stepped in front of the others, growling at Alex and let out a hungry howl. ‘TIMBERWOLVES?!?’ Realizing the danger, Alex scrambled to his feet and dashed into the woods, with the pack of Timberwolves following close behind him.

Rainbow was barely out of sight when she heard the howls. She recognized it as the Timberwolves’s howl, and it usually meant they were out hunting. At first she shrugged it off, believing it wasn’t worth her time to find out what they were chasing until she remembered Alex and thus grinded to a halt in midair and dashed off towards the direction of the howls.

It didn’t take long for Rainbow to catch up with the Timberwolves, and by seeing them she confirmed her suspicion. They had cornered Alex on top of a large rock. Alex, barely escaping with a slight tear on his jacket, had armed himself with a large branch and swatted at the wolves to keep them at bay. Rainbow hovered above and smiled with grim satisfaction.

Alex desperately tried to chase away the wolves with his only weapon in hand. Didn’t seemed like the most useful choice of weaponry. Fighting wood with wood didn’t seem to have a nice ring to it. There were times Alex wished he had a box of matches.

“What’s wrong, Lexy? Need some help?” Rainbow mocked.

Alex glanced up and saw Rainbow lying comfortably on a large branch as she watched show. “It would be much appreciated!” replied Alex as he swatted away a paw that lashed at him. Seeing how she seemed to enjoy his predicament, it was clear to him that she had intention of coming to his aid.
Just then, one of the wolves made a leap at him and grabbed the branch with its mouth. It pulled with all its might and forced it out of Alex’s hand. Alex recoiled and fell backwards, falling off the rock and hit the ground hard. Trying to get up, he quickly found himself surrounded.

‘Serves him right.’ Rainbow thought with a smug grin. Deep down however she realized that Alex didn’t deserve such a fate. Even thought he had tricked her and made her ruin her great surprise, it hardly seemed nice of her to let him get torn up and eaten. Not to mention that it was totally not cool.
In the end she got up on her hooves and decided to finally take action.

Trembling with fear, Alex shut his eyes and braced himself as the nearest wolf charged towards him. He had heard a dog’s bite was worse than its bark, but this was ridiculous!

‘This is it! I’m done for!’

CRASH!

Being only a few inches from Alex’s face, the wolf was suddenly intercepted by a streak of colors. There was a loud crash as it was smashed violently against the nearest tree. The wolves, including Alex, stared wide-eyed at the fallen wolf as it crumbled into pieces. Then suddenly a very familiar pegasus dropped from the sky and landed defensively in front of Alex, glaring at the wolves.

“Paws off! This one’s not on the menu!” Rainbow threatened. The wolves backed off a few inches, before regaining their courage realizing what was before them. Alex was surprised but extremely happy to see Rainbow Dash right now.

“You… You saved me?!”

“Don’t think I’ve forgiven you, Lexy!” She scowled at him. “I just don’t want you to become wolf dinner.” The wolves snarled at Rainbow, who replied by scraping her hoof on the ground and snorting. “Besides, if anypony is gonna chew you out, it’s gonna be me!”

“Of course…” Alex rolled his eyes.

One of the wolves attacked first, its jaws ready to snap down on Rainbow. Rainbow simply leaped into the air with ease, dodging the wolf. Before the wolf could realize what had happened, Rainbow had already descended and delivered a powerful buck, sending it crashing into its recovering brother, knocking them both into pieces. The two remaining wolves looked at each other, nodded and began to slowly gang up on Rainbow.

“You want some of this?” Rainbow turned, waving her rear in their direction, teasing them. The two wolves leaped at her, but she easily dodged them. “Fresh pony meat, come and get it!” She stuck her tongue out at them and ran away, with the two wolves in hot pursuit.

Alex watched as they disappeared into the forest. He didn’t like that Rainbow was forced to tackle them alone, but considering how well she handled herself, he wasn’t that worried. With two wolves knocked out, and the other two chasing Rainbow, Alex saw his chance to make a break for it. Should Rainbow find a way to deal with the wolves, it wouldn’t be long before she returned and forced him back to Twilight (right after giving him a real pounding).

Meanwhile, Rainbow had managed to lure the wolves away from Alex. She deliberately slowed her pace, allowing the wolves to catch up to her. Just as they were close, Rainbow suddenly flapped her wings, built up momentum and zoomed away. Using her inherent pegasus magic, she manipulated the wind around her, catching the surprised wolves in an updraft. Branches, shrubs, leaves, logs and even rocks flew off the ground along with the wolves as Rainbow zoomed through the woods.
Suddenly, she made a sudden stop and bolted up into the sky. The wolves, along with forest debris flew through the air and collided with a large rock. The force of the impact scattered their wooden remains all over the forest. Rainbow hovered over what was left, gloating as she thrust her foreleg into the air and let out a triumphant cheer.

“AW YEAH!”

As she hovered there, she suddenly realized that Alex was once again alone. Like a bullet, she soared back and arrived to find that Alex indeed had vanished. The other two wolves were slowly reforming themselves, so it was safe to say that Alex was still in one piece somewhere. She landed on the ground and carefully analyzed her surroundings. Finding a possible trail left by Alex, she took off after him just as the wolves began to stir and wake up, hearing the chirping of birds as they rubbed their heads in agony.

Not too far away, Alex was growing tired. He hadn’t had a proper chance to relax ever since he came to Equestria. He approached a clearing with lots of flowers. He stopped to take a breather, while he beheld the beautiful blue flowers.

“Hey Lexy! Where are you?”

Alex’s ears perked as he heard the sound of Rainbow Dash approaching. He didn’t have the strength to run and instead dove into the bed of blue flowers. He pushed himself down, trying to make himself as small as possible as the cyan pegasus arrived. He watched as she looked around, ears twitching as she tried to listen for any sign of him. Eventually she moved on, and Alex could finally emerge. He was tired of this whole cat and mouse game. He had never felt so small and helpless.

As he moved away from the flowerbed, he finally collapsed on the grass. Lying on his back, his arms outstretch, he let out a tired yawn and drifted into sleep.

~***~

Alex found himself in a dark place. Everywhere he looked it was darkness. Suddenly, a large hoof slammed down beside him, causing him to fall over. Gazing upwards, he saw a giant pony. It was Rainbow Dash!

“Come here you little squirt! I’m gonna squish ya!” the giant pegasus said with a sinister smile in an eerily booming voice. She raised her hoof to squash him, but Alex bolted just in time. Trying to run away, he was suddenly cornered by another giant pony. It was Twilight. She gazed upon him with mad lust in her eyes.

“You’re going to make me famous!” she smiled creepily.

Trying to get away from her, he suddenly found himself surrounded by the other ponies; Applejack, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, and Rarity, each sporting a creepy looking smile.

“Ya gonna make me rich!”

“You must stay with me!”

“You’re gonna be a pony!”

“You’re going to be my pet!”

Alex desperately shielded himself with his arms as the towering mares closed in on him. Suddenly, there was a bright flash and the ponies scattered into pieces and vanished. Looking up to where the source of the light came from, he suddenly saw the towering shape of another giant pony, only taller, slender and dark as the night itself. It lowered its head down towards him and looked at him with bright and frightening eyes.

“THERE YOU ARE!”

~***~

“GAH!”

Alex awoke with a shot as he realized he had been asleep. He dried the cold sweat from his forehead. At first he thought that everything that had happened had been some bizarre nightmare. But as he rubbed his eyes, he soon recognized his surroundings and let out a disappointed sigh. He then thought about the nightmare he did have. The tall pony haunted his mind. He had never seen that pony before and yet something felt familiar…

Finding a calm running river nearby, Alex bent down to quench his thirst. Feeling refreshed, he got back on his feet, brushed off a few loose flower petals and wondered how long he had been asleep. He even felt a strange tingling sensation.

RUMBLE!

He heard his stomach rumbling. All that running and excitement had taken its toll and now he was hungrier than ever. Alex looked around in a rather pointless attempt to find anything edible. He was hardly a woodsman, and anything he had learned from the handy ‘Forest Survival Guide’, was practically slim to nil.

Suddenly, his nose caught a scent. It was familiar, but impossible.

'Out here? In the forest?’

Sniff!

‘It can’t be…’

Sniff! Sniff!

‘APPLE PIE???’

Chapter 8: Pies and Jokes

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Chapter 8: Pies and Jokes

Alex followed the scent. It seemed impossible that there would be an apple pie in a deep and dark forest. Still, he couldn’t help it. The delicious aroma of apple and cinnamon made his mouth water, and his hunger overcame every rational thought.

As he walked closer, the scent got stronger. He shuddered on the possibility of a trap, but he was too curious to stop now. As he peered through the shrub, he saw it. A delicious apple pie, resting in a clearing, bathed in the piercing sunlight that seemed to shower it in heavenly praise.

Alex gazed at the pie, drooling with his tongue practically hanging out. He quickly looked around. Why would anyone, or anypony for that matter, leave a pie right in the middle of a forest? It seemed like the most laziest and unimaginative trap in recorded history. Still, feeling the hunger gnawing at him from the inside, Alex decided to risk it anyway and carefully crept out of the shrub.

He darted from one bush after another, popping up once or twice to look for any sign of danger. Moving closer, he carefully tip-toed towards the pie, stopping only to listen incase somepony was watching him. It was eerily quiet. He looked at every tree, shrub and stone, yet he couldn’t see or hear anything. This whole thing sort of reminded him of a Jungle Adventure movie he had seen once. He looked at the pie and took in that wonderful texture. The crust burned to utter perfection with the lovely scent of apple and cinnamon still warm and fresh inside. As he stepped up to the pie, he took one more look around, before bending over to pick it up.
As he lifted the pie, he suddenly felt a string attached to the pan being pulled. He heard the sound of a bell.

DING! DING!

Alex sighed. ‘Here we go…’

THUNK!

A large wooden crate suddenly dropped from the sky, trapping him inside. An orange blur wearing a Stetson quickly jumped down from the nearest tree, zipped and dashed around the crate, while the sound of a hammer was heard. The blur then stopped, spit the hammer she had in her mouth into her saddlebag and let a triumphant cheer.

“YE-HAW!”

Applejack happily reared herself, waving her forelegs into the air. Her dog Winona jumped out of a nearby bush, followed by her brother Big Macintosh, and jumped around Applejack while joining her cheering with happy barks. Big Mac simply smiled.
“Ah knew ol’ Granny Smith’s famous apple pie would do tha’ trick.” Applejack jumped on top of the crate and looked at her brother. “Now the future of Sweet Apple Acres is safe n’ secure. Ah tell ya Big Mac, this here golden apple is gonna bring us good fortune.”

Big Mac smiled. “Eeyup!”

Big Mac walked up to the crate, turned around and waited as Applejack stepped off. With careful precision, Applejack kicked the crate off the ground with her hind legs onto his back.

“There! Now let’s mosey on home. We got ourselves a whole lot of plannin’n' organizin' to do.” She trotted over to the crate and tapped gently on it with her hoof. “Ya’ll okay in thar sugar? Sorry bout’ the accommodation. Fer bein’ such a good sport lettin’ us trap ya an’ all, y’ jus’ keep that there pie as yer reward.” She smiled and began to trot ahead. “Come along, Winona. Let’s go Big Mac.”

“Eeyup.”

Alex felt movement as Big Mac trotted after her sister in a calm pace. He felt around the crate, growing quite concerned when he realized how tight and secure it was. There was no way he could escape. He did however manage to find a small peephole on one side of the crate and peered out. He saw the forest moving passed as they went. He saw the red coat of Big Mac who tirelessly carried him on his back. He then saw the dog Winona, who apparently had noticed Alex’s little peephole and looked at it with excitement in her eyes.

“BARK!”

Alex pulled away from the hole and knocked on the wood.

KNOCK! KNOCK!

“Uh... Hello? Excuse me!” his muffled yell emitted from the crate. Big Mac and Applejack stopped. “Um… Is there any chance you two could… let me go?”

Applejack and Big Mac looked at each other, before smiling and turning their attention back to Alex. “Snort! Let ya go? Now why in Sam Hill would we ever do that fer?” Applejack trotted over to the crate. “Y’ put up quite tha' chase back there on the farm, ya know. And besides, ya still owe us for them apples ya ate.”

“I’m really sorry for all the trouble I caused. And I’ll pay you back for the apples. Just let me go. Please?”

Applejack and her big brother shared a look at each other before Big Mac finally answered.

“Nnope.”

“Sorry sugar, but ya heard Big Mac. Besides, we’ve got big plans fer ya.” She peered into the eyehole. “Ol’ Granny Smith’s gonna love ya. Not to mention all them other ponies who’ll be linin' up just to see ya.” Alex could just imagine how that would be like; all those eyes staring at him as he was forced to do dangerous stunts for them. “Besides, there’s no hard feelin’s. Ah forgive ya for that there ‘Barnyard Tussle’ ya gave me.” She smiled as she looked slightly embarrassed about it. “Ah should’ve known better. Ol’ granny always said; corner a scared animal, yer gonna get scratched.”

‘Great! So I’m an animal now?’ Alex felt insulted.

“Enough dilly-dally.” Applejack patted her hoof on the crate. “We wasted a whole mornin’ lookin’ for ya, and we’re pretty behind our chores.”

“Eeyup. Waaay behind…” Big Mac answered.

Alex’s eyes grow wide with shock. He DID speak more than one line!

“Jus’ relax n’ enjoy the ride sugar, and we’ll be home befur ya know it.” Applejack finished and trotted happily with Winona panting cheerfully beside her. Big Mac followed close behind.

With no other choice, Alex sat quietly inside the crate as it moved in response to Big Mac’s movements. To be honest, it wasn’t that uncomfortable. Still, it didn’t really lighten the mood as his grim fate grew more and more real by every step. He then looked at the apple pie resting on his lap, and heard his stomach rumbling. ‘No point in letting it go to waste...’

He made a rough slice for himself with his fingers and joyfully bit into its still warm crust with delicious apple filling. It was a heavenly taste and it didn’t take long before he finished the whole thing. Satisfied, he leaned back as he decided to ride it out until he had thought of a plan of escape. Considering how strong and tight the crate was, he didn’t see how any escape now would be possible.
He suddenly felt that strange tingly sensation again. He rubbed his eyes. He couldn’t quite put his finger on it. It must’ve been the pie, or maybe his imagination. But for some reason the crate seemed to get…

*****

Somewhere close by in the Everfree Forest, Twilight and Spike was searching high and low for Alex. (Well, Twilight was searching, Spike was just tired.)

Twilight had earlier caught up with Rainbow Dash and learned what had happened. She was really upset with Rainbow and scolded for having let her pride and anger lose Alex to the dark forest. She had spent over an hour searching, trying to find any trail left behind. She refused to give up, knowing that Alex was all alone and probably scared. She had to find him.

“Twilight, it’s been an hour. Can’t we go home?” Spike groaned.

“Go home?” Twilight stopped, tossed Spike off her back and glared at him. “GO HOME?! Spike! Alex is out here all alone! We can’t leave now! We just can’t!”

“Jeez Twilight, chill…” Spike answered nervously. He had never seen Twilight this upset. And believe me, he had seen Twilight upset before. But this was different. “Didn’t know the Hoofbel Prize meant so much to you…”

Twilight angry expression quickly changed to sad as she let out a sigh. “It’s not just the Hoofbel, Spike…”

“Then what..?”

She silently bit her lip and looked into the dark forest. Her ears flattened as she lowered her head. She sniffled as tears began welling up and run down her cheeks. Spike got back up, walked up to her and gently placed his claw on her side.

“Look, I’m sure he doesn’t hate you, Twilight.” He comforted her. “If you’re truly sorry, I’m sure he’ll understand.”

Twilight looked at Spike and smiled. “Thank you, Spike.” She dried her tears and put on her determined face. She stepped forward a couple of paces and stopped. “And you’re right! Besides, this is my calling, Spike.” Her horn glowed, as the mental image of the Equestrian Banner appeared behind her and the royal anthem began to play. “With Celestia’s sun as my witness; with the magic of friendship, I’ll make him my friend and give him the kindness and respect that he deserves.” The anthem built momentum. She raised her right hoof triumphantly, her hair waving in the blowing wind as the anthem reached its climax. “And with that friendship I’ll bring him to Trotholm, present him before the Committee and get my Hoofbel Prize!”
Spike, unexplainably holding a wind-fan next to her, let out a sigh as he tossed it aside, pushed away the Equestrian Banner Backdrop and pulled the phonogram tone arm away from the vinyl record.

“And then you’ll say you’re sorry, right?”

VINYL SCREECH!

Twilight’s eyes widened as she snapped out of it. Her horn glowed as she teleported away the items she had subconsciously summoned during her moment of grandeur. She glanced down at Spike and smiled sheepishly. “Eh hehe… And say that I’m sorry, yes. Squee!”

Suddenly, they both heard noises coming towards them. Twilight magically grabbed Spike and teleported away into some nearby bushes. There they lay quietly as the figures came into view. It was Applejack and Big Mac, along with their dog Winona. On Big Mac’s back was a large crate.

“Boy Howdy Big Mac, Ah’ sure am’ gonna be glad once we get Alex safely back to Sweet Apple Acres. Tis’ here forest is gettin’ creepier by the minute.”

“Eeyup!”

As the Apple siblings were out of sight, Twilight and Spike popped their heads out of the bushes.

“Oh no! Applejack’s got Alex!” Twilight exclaimed, mentally seeing her Hoofbell Prize practically flying away. “And she has him in a crate? That’s just wrong!”

“Didn’t you put him in a cage a while ago?” asked Spike with a cocked eyebrow.

“That’s different! That was protocol! In Accordance to Equestrian Government policy, all new unknown species of life forms discovered in Equestria has to be safely contained for registration in case harm was to befall them or they were to harm ponies, sentient or otherwise.”

“Even the nice ones?”

“ESPECIALLY the nice ones! Sometimes they are the most dangerous. It’s just common sense.” Spike scratched his head, not sure if he really understood that logic of hers.

“Oh well, Applejack’s got him now. I guess there’s nothing we can do about that.” Spike shrugged his shoulders.

“Who says we can’t?” Twilight asked with yet another determined look on her face. She was not going to let this one slide. “I saw him first and by Celestia I’ll get him back, whatever it takes.” She trotted off to follow them.

“Great! Let me know how that turns out.” Spike waved and was about to walk away until he was covered in Twilight’s aura. Spike let out a tired groan as he magically drifted after Twilight.

Up a nearby tree, a small red bird watched as they left the forest. It chirped excitedly as it flew away.

*****

Applejack and Big Mac finally arrived back at Sweet Apple Acres. “Ah! Good to be back after all that thar excitement. Ah sure Ah’m glad we found Alex befur sompony else did.”

“Eeyup!”

In a way, Applejack had to honestly thank Rainbow Dash for making such a huge racked that ultimately lead them straight to Alex. Still, she would give that pegaus a good talking to once she found her. She couldn’t believe that anypony like her would treat Alex like that. He must’ve really ticked her off somehow. While she considered Rainbow was a good friend, she hated to think what she would’ve done to Alex if he hadn’t somehow gotten away from her. But now, he was Apple Family property and if she tried anything now, she’d sue her for damages.

Once they reached the barn, Applejack opened the doors and signaled her brother to drop Alex inside. Big Mac turned around and gently as he could tossed the crate inside, causing it to tumble quite a bit before finally resting in the middle of the barn.

THUMP!

“Careful Big Mac!” Applejack exclaimed concerned and cantered towards the crate. “That thar’s precious cargo!”

Big Mac didn’t say anything. Much to his surprise, the crate felt lighter. Either that or he had gotten stronger.

“Ya’ll okay in there sugar?” Applejack asked, tapping gently on the crate. There was no response. Alex had been really quiet during the whole trip. “Still with the silent treatment, huh? We’ll jus’ be leavin’ ya alone tils ya’ll settled down a bit.” She couldn’t help but feel a bit bad for Alex. She didn’t like to keep him all boxed up like this, but it was the only way to make sure he didn’t run away the first chance he got. She would eventually let him out soon and make it up to him somehow…
“We’ll jus’ be in the house makin’ ready the guestroom fer ya. Once we’ve got ya all settled in, we’ll talk business and work out some kinda deal.” To make double certain that he didn’t try anything, she looked to Winona. “Winona, ya’ll stay here and keep Alex company. We’ll be right back.” Winona waged her tail, let out a happy bark and parked herself in front of the crate.

Applejack trotted back out, closed the doors to the barn and locked them.

“There, that should do it.” She looked to her brother and raised her hoof.

“Eeyup!” Big Mac answered and gave her a Hoof Bump.

“Applejack!”

Applejack and Big Mac turned their heads and saw Twilight galloping towards them, with Spike close behind. Applejack’s blood froze as she began to suspect what Twilight was doing at the farm. Big Mac left her sister alone, whistled nonchalant as he went to tend to his chores. Applejack gulped, played cool and trotted over to greet her best friend.

“Howdy there Twilight! Howdy Spike!” She waved. “What brings ya’ll here?” Twilight stopped in front of her, catching her breath before responding.

“*Pant!* Applejack! *Pant!* That crate! How much? *Pant!*”

Applejack flinched a bit. “Pardon?”

“*Pant!* That crate you had with you. In there!” She pointed at the barn before continuing. “You have something very important that I need. How much do want for him? I’ll pay…”

‘Shoot! She found out!’ Applejack mentally groaned. “Whoa there Nelly! Ah don’t reckon Ah know what yer talkin’ about…” She lied nervously, failing greatly. She backed herself against the barn doors, blocking the entrance to her prized catch. Twilight frowned impatiently at her.

“Look Applejack, I know what you have in there.” She continued. “I spent the entire morning looking for him. I would be most grateful if you handed him over to me.”

“Ya ain’t gettin’ Alex.” Applejack bluntly said. “Ah spent jus’ as much time looking for 'im as well. Ah ain’t givin’ 'im up.”

“You’ve got to let me have him, Applejack. He’s a very important scientific discovery.”

“No way sugarcube!” Applejack leaned back against the doors, spread out her forelegs and blocked her path. “He’s gonna bring in a lot of Bits for the farm, Ah jus’ know it.”

“Applejack…” Twilight tried to reason with her.

“Ah caught 'im fair n' square Twilight, and all the Bits ya have won’t make me give ‘im up.”

“Please!” she begged. “I’ll do anything. I’ll… I’ll let you borrow all the books you want. As LONG as you want! Free of charge!”

“Temptin’, but no!”

“I’ll… I’ll…” Twilight looked at Spike and pulled him up in front of Applejack. “I’ll let you loan Spike. To help around the farm and…”

“NO WAY! NO HOW! NO DEAL!”

Twilight dropped Spike to the ground with a thud. She knew she had to be smart about this. Applejack probably had every reason not to give Alex up. She knew of Applejack’s dream to build up the farm and help her family, but her plans would destroy her hopes of ever getting the greatest prize she had ever dreamed of. Then she had an idea.

“Applejack…” Twilight spoke softly, earning the overprotective cowpony’s attention. “Maybe we can work out a deal? And I promise you won’t have to give up Alex.”

Applejack’s ears perked as she lowered her guard. “I’m listenin’…”

*****

While Twilight and Applejack were outside negotiating, Winona had been sniffing around the crate rather curiously. She knew something wasn’t right. She scratched at the crate and sniffed some more at the peephole on the side.

Just then, her ears perked. She jumped on top of the crate and looked protectively around the barn. She was hearing a noise. It was a digging noise. She quickly located the source and dashed towards the back wall of the barn. She noticed the dirt shifting and being pushed up from beneath. Curious, she began to dig into the loose dirt and quickly uncovered a small bunny. She backed away as the bunny, along with several other bunnies, popped out of the hole. They then formed a line, grabbing on to one another as the lead bunny leaned down into the hole and began to pull on something.
Soon, a strand of pink hair was pulled out, followed by a yellow muzzle, which soon evolved into a head. With one more pull, Fluttershy was pulled out of the tiny hole, tumbled forward, landing on her face, her hair and coat dirty and messy.

“Ouch…” She whispered. Winona wagged her tail and licked Fluttershy’s face as she got back on her feet. “Thank you, Angel. Thank you, bunnies.” She smiled gratefully at the bunnies who smiled back. She then drew her attention to Winona. “Oh! Hi Winona!” she whispered. Winona panted happily, wagged her tail and licked her face again. “I’m really happy to see you too. Look, I’m really sorry about before. Can you find it in your heart to forgive me?”

“Bark!” Winona said in a forgiving tone.

“Oh, thank you! Sssh! But please, not so loud!” Fluttershy whispered as she politely hushed Winona. She glanced at the barn doors, hoping Applejack or Twilight hadn’t heard them. Hearing nothing, she drew a sigh of relief and eyed the crate in front of her. “And thank you so much for your help.” A little red bird suddenly popped out of her mane and happily chirped. It then fluttered out of her mane and landed on one of the support beams. “Angel, did you bring it?” She turned to Angel who reached behind his back and brought forth a crowbar. “Perfect!” She whispered cheerfully.
She trotted quietly towards the crate, with the bunnies bringing the crowbar. “Alex? Are you in there?” She asked quietly. “Listen, I’m going to get you out, but you have to promise to be quiet. I’ll bring you safely back home and we’ll forget this whole thing ever happened. Okay?” There was no reply. “I’ll take that as a ‘yes’…”

She nodded to her bunnies. The bunnies hopped up on to the crate and quietly worked the crowbar into the top side. Angel began chirping orders as his brethren began got to work in opening the crate.

*****

Outside, the negotiations continued.

“Here’s what we’ll do…” Twilight began. “You come with me to Trotholm with Alex. We’ll present him to the Hoofbel Committee, and I’ll share the Hoofbel Prize with you.”

Applejack rubbed her chin. It sounded like a good deal. Still, she had to make sure Twilight was being honest.

“And..?”

“And once that’s done, I’ll help you and Alex earn all the Bits you need.” Twilight smiled.

“Ah still get to keep ‘im, right?”

“Too make more Bits?”

“What? No!” She answered defensively, appalled by the idea. “Ah mean Ah jus’ want to… Ah mean Ah…” she stuttered, biting her lower lip as she couldn’t bring herself to say it. “Ah mean… It ain’t any of yer business, Twi! Ah’m sorry, but Ah jus’ can’t give ‘im up. Ah jus’ can’t…”

Twilight looked at Applejack. Even though she hoped Applejack would give him up after that, she somehow knew what she meant. Clearly she had just as much bad conscience as she did. Defeated, she sighed and made a faint, yet honest smile.

“Okay, Applejack… You can keep him.”

Applejack’s ears perked up and she smiled. “Then we got a deal!” She spit on her hoof and reached out to shake Twilight’s.

“Ew…”

*****

Inside the barn, operation B.O.H. (Break Out the Human) was still under way. Angel had been watching as his brethren struggled to loosen the nails, all having piled up at the one end of the crowbar using their weight to try and force it down. Rolling his eyes, he huffed as he knew this wasn’t going to work, and decided to finally help out. He jumped up and down on the crowbar and with a jolt, the nails loosened and the top of the crate was finally forced open. Fluttershy eagerly peered inside the crate and gasped. It was empty.

“But… Where’s Alex..?”

“HE’S GONE?!!”

“SQUEAK!” Fluttershy squeaked with fright as Pinkie Pie suddenly appeared beside her, causing her to fall over. “Pinkie Pie! You startled me!” As she got back up she looked at Pinkie rather confused. She was even more surprised to see her standing there with a butterfly catching net and a magnifying glass. “Wh… Where did you come from?”

“Through the hole.” Pinkie smiled and pointed to the hole they had dug. Fluttershy was then curious to know why Pinkie wasn’t dirty, but she pushed it aside. There were more important matters at hand.

They both looked inside the empty crate. “I don’t understand…” Fluttershy said still confused. “How could he…”

BANG!

“SQUEAK!” she fell over again as the doors of the barn were forced open and Applejack, Twilight and Spike barged in.

“What in tarnation is goin' on here?” Applejack yelled. She was surprised to see Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie standing by the crate which had now been opened. She galloped over to look inside and was shocked to find it empty.
“Alright! What ya’ll done with ‘im?” She glared at the both them. Fluttershy shrank down in fear while Pinkie simply stood there looking confused.

“Us?” Pinkie chirped.

“Us…?” Fluttershy whimpered.

“Darn tootin ya’ll!” Applejack snarled. “Where’d ya’ll hide ‘im? And how’d the Sam Hill did ya’ll get in here anyways?”

“Through the hole.” Pinkie chirped again.

“Thr… Through the… Gulp! H… Hole…” Fluttershy whimpered again.

They both pointed her towards the hole in the back of the barn. Applejack narrowed her eyes and snorted before turning her attention back to them.

“As for Alex…” Pinkie looked at Fluttershy who looked at Pinkie. “He was gone when we got here.”

“Yes… Gone…” Fluttershy added.

“What ya’ll mean ‘gone’?” Applejack asked bewildered. “Is this a joke?”

“Wait! He was already gone?” Twilight interrupted as she moved up beside Applejack. Both Pinkie and Fluttershy nodded in synch. “Guess the deal’s off Applejack!” she smirked, causing Applejack to frown. She looked at her spit-stained hoof, stuck out her tongue and grimaced. ‘Blech! All that for nothing…’

Applejack rubbed her brow. “Ugh! ‘Kay, let me see Ah got this straight. You two dug yourselves inside mah barn, broke open mah crate and Alex was jus’ gone. Am Ah right?” Both Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy nodded.

“Yup! Right as rain!” Pinkie chirped.

“Horseapples!” Applejack exclaimed. “Ah locked ‘im in there myself! He couldn’t jus’ up n’ disappear like that!” She then eyed Twilight. “He weren’t magical, was he?”

“No, I don’t believe so…” Twilight curiously moved over to the crate and examined it. As she looked inside, she suddenly spotted a petal. She used her magic and lifted it up. It was a blue flower petal.

“Oooh, pretty.” Pinkie Pie slowly reached for it.

“Don’t touch it!” Twilight yelled, swatting Pinkie’s hoof away. “That’s Poison Joke!”

The ponies gasped and backed away. They remembered clearly their previous encounter with the mischievous flower, and the humiliation they suffered. Spike remembered it too, but giggled. Twilight carefully floated the pedal in front of her. She rubbed her chin as realization quickly dawned on her. She then spotted the peephole on the side of the crate.

“Applejack… Do you remember the last time you were affected by Poison Joke?”

“Don’t remind me, Twi.” Applejack groaned. “Ah still ain’t over that whole ‘Appletini’ thing after what happened.”

Twilight suddenly had a horrible feeling, causing her to drop the pedal. She shook as she slowly raised her hoof and looked under it. Finding nothing, she gulped and looked at her friends. “Everypony… Don’t move…” They all gulped as realization dawned on them as well. They all slowly and carefully checked underneath their hooves, barely able to look should they assume the worst.
Spike, watching closely, merely shrugged and casually looked under his feet. The bunnies and Winona did the same.

A huge sigh of relief echoed through the barn. None of them had accidently stepped on him, but that still didn’t make things any better. Somehow Alex had made contact with the Poison Joke in the Everfree Forest, and now he was small as a field mouse, possibly lost somewhere in the tall grass of Sweet Apple Acres.

“You girls stay here.” Twilight said as she started to walk out the barn. “I’ll go and find Alex. Come on Spike!”

“Now hold on there!” Applejack protested. Twilight stopped as she trotted up to her. “Ah know Sweet Apple Acres better than anypony. Ah’ll find Alex, right Winona?” Winona scampered over to her side, barking cheerfully as Applejack gently patted her head.

“No way!” Pinkie interjected. “I’ll find him.” She revealed her catching net, magnifying glass and an assortment of strange catching equipment. “I came prepared!” she smiled. Twilight wondered how she knew, but didn’t bother trying.

“Oh no…” Fluttershy squeaked, voicing her objection. “I’m more careful. Angel and my bunnies will find him… Won’t we Angel?” Angel and the bunnies nodded and thumped their feet in unison. “Careful!”

“You too Fluttershy?” Twilight was silent for a moment, before a question that had been nagging her finally surfaced. She trotted over to them. “I’m curious. Just what do you two want with Alex anyway?”

“Protect him…” Fluttershy answered softly.

“Make him a pony.” Pinkie said cheerfully.

Twilight looked questionably at Pinkie. Her confusion was shared by both Applejack and Fluttershy. “What?”

“You see, I want to throw him a ‘New Pony in Ponyville Party’, because he’s new in Ponyville. But Alex is not a pony, so I couldn’t throw a ‘New Pony in Ponyville Party’ if the new pony in Ponyville wasn’t a new pony in Ponyville. So I decided I’d throw him a ‘Good-Bye Human Party’, and make him into a pony so I could throw him a ‘New Pony in Ponyville Party’ because he’s not a pony and…”

“WE GET IT, PINKIE!” Twilight exclaimed. When Pinkie set her mind on something, she would always follow through with some kind of crazy shenanigans, but this one was just way beyond weird. Even weirder than when she decided to clone herself just to have more fun with her friends. She then looked at Fluttershy, and hoped her reasons had some sensibility to it. “Why are you after Alex, Fluttershy?”

“Oh, I want to bring him home and take care of him. He’s lost, frightened and endangered. He needs to be safe and protected. Not locked up in some box…” Fluttershy timidly answered while casting a glare at Applejack.

Applejack bit her lower lip nervously as sweat ran down her forehead. “Eh hehe… Eh, sugarcube… That wasn’t…”

“Ahehe! Sorry girls, but I just can’t grasp this.” Twilight looked at both of them. “Really Pinkie Pie? A pony? And Fluttershy… He’s a not a lost chicken you can just coop up. He’s a thinking creature.”

“I know he’s not a chicken, Twilight!” She said defensively. “But how can I just stand by while he’s thoughtlessly scurrying about?”

“Yeah!” Pinkie Pie chimed in. She pushed herself against Twilight’s face and looked her firmly in the eye. “And besides, just what were you going to do with him, huh?” She eyed both her and Applejack. “Show him off to everypony like some science experiment? Make him do tricks?” Twilight and Applejack looked at one-another, chuckling, coughing and muttering nervously as they gazed into the air, trying to look innocent. Pinkie gasped. “You were!”

“You should be ashamed!” Fluttershy said visibly upset.

“Yeah!” Pinkie agreed.

“You too!” Fluttershy eyed Pinkie, who gasped at the accusation.

“Now see here!” Applejack exclaimed.

By now the barn was filled with yelling and shouts as the ponies argued amongst themselves. All expect Twilight, who silently listened to the banter as frustration began to build up inside her.

“Enough!” Twilight finally yelled, getting their attention. “Now look. We all have our reasons for wanting Alex. But while we’re bickering and arguing, Alex is out there; tiny, helpless and possibly in great danger. We have to find him before somepony steps on him or worse.” The three ponies looked at each other and nodded in unison. “Now, we all split up and cover each part of Sweet Apple Acres.” She then sighed. “The pony who finds Alex first, gets to keep him...” The other ponies looked at each other and smiled in agreement. It only seemed fair.
Twilight wasn’t too happy about this ‘competition’, but there was no choice. “So, are we all in agreement?” All three ponies nodded. “Then let’s go!” They hurried out towards the barn doors. “Girls!” They froze. “Carefully...” They all stood on the tip of their hooves and tip-hooved out of the barn.

Spike simply watched as they all left the barn on their tippy-hooves. Winona scampered past him, followed by Angel and several bunnies. Spike let out a yelp as a small bunny ran between his legs.

“Come on Spike!” Twilight called.

“This has really been one interesting day.” Spike snickered as he was about to run after them.

“SPIKE!”

Spike froze, groaned and tip-toed out the barn.

Moments later, Pinkie Pie tip-hooved backwards inside the barn to where she stood before, eyed the Poison Joke petal on the ground, looked around and, before anypony could realize, scooped it up inside a glass jar, sealing it shut. She giggled as she tip-hooved back out.

*****

‘WHAT THE HECK WAS IN THAT PIE???’

It seemed like a bad joke, but somehow Alex had shrunk to the size of a field mouse. After realizing he wasn’t dreaming, he had seized this bizarre opportunity to escape his mobile prison through the peephole, which he now could conveniently fit through with ease. He stumbled uneasily on Big Mac’s back before he finally lost his balance and fell off, landing on the soft grass inside the orchard. While his escape had successfully gone unnoticed by Applejack, her brother and their dog, he had failed to take into account that he was now small, lost in the giant wilderness of Sweet Apple Acres.

He quickly found himself in a dense jungle, being bombarded by fresh, ripe apples, big as station wagons that fell with an earth-shattering crash from the tall trees. Insects and bugs of various shapes and sizes scurried about. Some he would expect and some he would not expect. And right now, he was fending for his life as he was being threatened by a ferocious spider that let out a threatening howl.

‘How cute… A Wolf-Spider!’ Alex thought sarcastically. First Timberwolves that were made of real timber and now a Wolf-Spider that looked and acted like a real wolf? As if Equestria wasn’t strange enough.
He had armed himself with a small stick, but it didn’t seem to be enough to fend off a hungry Wolf-Spider. The spider moved closer the more he backed away, looking at him with its hungry eyes, all six of them.

‘Eaten by a spider… Seriously, I never saw THAT coming!’ he grimly thought to himself as the spider made its move on him. Alex closed his eyes and tightened his hands around the stick, nervously ready to strike the spider as it pounced.

SPLAT!

Alex slowly opened his eyes as he realized he was still alive and breathing. He looked for the spider and saw to his surprise that it had crashed in mid-air. It painfully slid down a transparent wall, which Alex now discovered was glass.
The spider quickly regained it bearings and lunged at the glass, trying to get to Alex. Suddenly it looked up and whimpered. It turned tail and ran off, sounding like a frightened dog. Alex stared dumbfounded after the spider. He then glanced at the glass walls and discovered that it surrounded him. He unnervingly looked up and realized he was trapped inside a big glass jar, seeing a pair of enormous eyes looking down at him.

Suddenly he was scooped up into the glass jar. A lid with tiny air holes was screwed on tight and he watched helplessly as he was lifted up, eyed closely by his captor through the glass.

“Applebloom! Sweetie Belle! Look what I caught!” the orange pegasus filly with purple mane exclaimed.

“What is it, Scootaloo?”

Two more fillies showed up. One was a white unicorn with purple and pink mane, while the other was a light yellow earth-pony with red mane, wearing a big pink bow. They excitedly approached the jar she was holding.

“Wow! Neat!” the little white unicorn chirped.

“What in tarnation is it?” Applebloom asked curiously. Alex didn’t really have to guess which one was Applebloom, especially since it sounded pretty obvious.

“I’m not sure… Never seen anything like it. Maybe it’s a bug?” Scootaloo pondered, pressing her face against the jar and sticking out her tongue while examining him closely with one eye. Alex didn’t really know what was more demeaning; being trapped inside a glass jar or mistaken for a bug?

“Really? It’s a bug?” Sweetie exclaimed in hopeful glee.

“Yes, I believe so!” Scootaloo answered sounding more positive.

“A new kind of bug! Ya’ll know what that means?” Applebloom beamed with excitement.

Alex suddenly found himself being hoisted high above ground as Scootaloo raised the jar above her head, with the other fillies suddenly standing next to her side by side and cheering in unison.

“CUTIE MARK CRUSADERS: BUG COLLECTORS! YAY!”

Alex felt a painful ringing in his ears. Just what were these fillies doing?

“Quick! Let’s take it back to the club house!” said Applebloom.

The others agreed and placed Alex on a trolley which was connected to a small kick scooter. Alex watched as the filly named Scootaloo, placed herself on the scooter.

“Come on, Crusaders. Let’s go!”

Fluttering her wings, Alex noticed that it seemed to propel them forward. He was impressed by the filly’s inventive means of transportation. The scooter sped off, with the two fillies following close behind. With nothing else to do, Alex sat back and relaxed, deciding to just enjoy the ride and see where this was going.

As the three fillies disappeared into the woods, four ponies, a dragon, a dog and a bunch of bunnies close by were busy searching the orchard…

Chapter 9: Cutie Troubles

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Chapter 9: Cutie Troubles

It didn’t take long for the Cutie Mark Crusaders to reach their club house. After all, it was only a short distance from Sweet Apple Acres.

Alex had spent his time trying to piece together what had happened so far. For reasons he couldn’t quite explain or understand, he was now the size of a mouse (or bug pending his current predicament). He had escaped Applejack and her brother, only to get lost in the apple orchard. Nearly became a meal for a hungry spider, got trapped inside a glass jar by three young fillies and was now being taken to their ‘club house’ somewhere in the woods.
Despite the inconvenience, he really couldn’t complain too much. He did feel a lot safer inside the jar. After that near-nasty incident with the spider, he rather welcomed it. He obviously didn’t plan on staying long though and knew that he had to find a way to escape and get big again, without having the other ponies find him.

In the meantime, a series of questions ran through his mind. ‘Why does this always happen to me? What was that light? Why did I wind up here in Equestria? How did that apple pie shrink me? For that matter… how come my clothes shrank with me?’ Alex then sighed. ‘I wonder what my family is doing now. They’re probably worried sick and wondering where I am. I’ll bet they miss me…’

*****

Meanwhile, somewhere on Earth, Alex’s father sat comfortably in his living room chair reading a newspaper while his mother was in the kitchen.

“MURIEL!”

“Yes Dear?”

“WHERE’S MY DINNER?”

*****

Alex smiled. ‘Yeah… They miss me-’

SCREECH!

“OFF!”

He was suddenly knocked out of his track of thoughts as the scooter suddenly skidded to a halt, causing him to get thrown face first into the glass. Painfully peeling his face off the glass, Alex rubbed his face, peered through the thick glass and saw that they had arrived at the club house.
It was a cute little treehouse with a pad and boardwalk, with a flag on a pole on the roof. Parking her scooter, Scootaloo and her friends lifted Alex out of the trolley and carried him inside.

They placed him on the floor and surrounded him. Alex saw how the curious eyes of his captors regarded him with great interest. He also had a good look at the club house’s interior. There was a podium at the end of the room. A map of Ponyville on the wall with several ‘X’ marks crossed over it. There was a rope leading up to the celling and a bull’s-eye(?) on the floor in one corner. Aside from that, everything else seemed like how he would expect from a normal treehouse.

“What a strange bug…” Sweetie Belle was the first to say anything.

“It must be a new kind of bug. One nopony has ever seen befur.” Applebloom second.

“If that’s true…” Scootaloo third. “…Then we are the FIRST to discover one!”

“Definitely worth a cutie mark!” cheered Applebloom.

“YAY!” Sweetie Belle chirped as she reared in excitement.

Alex wasn’t too thrilled to being called a ‘bug’, but he didn’t have much of a choice. He decided to remain quiet until he had figured out what he was up against and how he could escape.
The three fillies then suddenly lined up and pressed their flanks against each other, regarding them with gleeful anticipation. Alex watched them with a cocked eyebrow, wondering what they were doing. His eyes then narrowed as he realized something was wrong with this picture. They didn’t have marks on their flanks! What was that about? He then noticed their faces suddenly turn to disappointment.

“Aw… Nothing?” Sweetie Belle groaned.

“Still no cutie mark? Darn it! What are we doin’ wrong?” Applebloom wondered.

Alex was puzzled for a moment and scratched his head before he slowly began to piece together what the so-called ‘cutie marks’ they were talking about were.

The marks!

These ‘cutie marks’ were probably some form of next stage in their lives, like puberty. From what he had gathered, every pony he had encountered so far had a mark that seemed to signify their occupation or personality. Maybe even both?
It struck him now that these fillies, these ‘Cutie Mark Crusaders’, were trying to find their special talent. Obviously ‘bug collecting’ wasn’t one of them. Not to mention ironic since he wasn’t a bug at all.
His eyes darted back to the map as the ‘X’ marks seemed to make more sense now...

“So what do we do now?” asked a deflated Scootaloo. All three of them sat down on their haunches and began to think. Alex just quietly watched them.

Then Sweetie Belle had an idea. “I know! We should name it!”

“Name it?” asked Scootaloo.

“Yeah, name it.” she chirped. “Perhaps if we think of name for it, maybe then we get our cutie marks?”

“That’s a great idea!” said Applebloom.

“CUTIE MARK CRUSADERS: BUG NAMERS! YAY!”

Alex covered his ears in agony. Did they really have to cheer so loud?

The three fillies sat around Alex, trying to come up with a name for him. Applebloom rested her head on her hooves, eyeing the ceiling in deep thought.
Sweetie Belle sat upright and rested her right elbow on top of her left foreleg, while tapping her head with her right hoof, sticking out her tongue as she strained her thoughts to think of a name.
Scootaloo played with her hooves, with a rather bored expression on her face.

Inside the jar, Alex continued to regard the fillies with silent amusement.

Suddenly, Sweetie Belle sprung up for her pose in excitement. “I GOT IT! We’ll call it Alan!” she beamed.

“Alan???” Applebloom glanced questionably at her. Alex silently did the same.

“Alan is a good name…”

“For a bug?” Scootaloo interjected. “That’s a terrible name! It’s gotta be something cool and awesome! I wanna call it Rainbow Dash Jr. You know, after Rainbow Dash.”

“We know…” They both said bluntly in unison. Even Alex thought that was dumb.

“We ain’t callin’ it Rainbow Dash Jr.”

Scootaloo sighed. “Okay, fine. Then what do you wanna call it?” she asked Applebloom.

Applebloom thought for a moment. “Hm… How about… ‘Little-Weird-Apple Acre-Bug creature’? Squee!”

The two fillies (and Alex) stared deadpanned at her before frowning. “That’s not name, that’s a description!” said Sweetie Belle.

Scootaloo groaned. “Ugh! This isn’t getting us anywhere…”

“Maybe we’re goin’ about tis’ the wrong way.” Applebloom wondered.

“I say we’re not trying hard enough!” Scootaloo added, hammering her hoof on the floor and causing Alex to momentarily lose his footing.

‘Easy girls…’

“Maybe we should ask Fluttershy?” Applebloom suggested. “She knows a lot about bugs and animals. Maybe she can help us pick a name for it?”

‘She sure would.’ Alex grumbled sarcastically as he got back up, getting slightly worried now. If they told Fluttershy about him, then it wouldn’t be long before he found himself inside his new little habitat. Of course now she’d probably resort to a bird cage instead. Due to his current stature, she would definitively take the whole ‘mothering’ role further and he imagined himself being pampered and fed with a tiny baby bottle. Not to mention some her animals might even see him as a snack. And then there was Angel. He shuddered at the idea. He had to stop them somehow.
He then had a thought. Due to the fact that he was now too small to even be considered human anymore, he decided to try something else. And seeing as how he was dealing with children, they were probably innocent enough to believe just about anything. He was no Child Psychologist, but he had been around kids before and knew how gullible they could be at times.
Since he clearly didn’t resemble anything they had ever seen before, that gave him an idea...

“Maybe we should go n’ see Fluttershy?” Applebloom continued.

“I don’t know…” Scootaloo said rather unsure. “I just don’t think we’ll get our cutie marks if we ask for help…”

Sweetie Belle, having been quietly thinking for a bit, suddenly chirped. “Let’s try naming it again! I got a good one this time. How about Tom?” she smiled. The others just frowned at her.

“Tom? Pfft! I wouldn’t even give that name to a rock. While we’re at it, why don’t we just call him Dick?” Scootaloo teased, clearly not taking the name issue serious anymore.

“Or Harry?” added Applebloom.

They all started giggling.

“How about Alex?”

“Alex?” Scootaloo stopped her giggling and stuck out her tongue in fake disgust. “Bleh! That’s even worse! We’re definitely not calling it Alex, Sweetie Belle.” she laughed.

Sweetie Belle looked bewildered. “I-I didn’t say Alex.”

“Sure you did!” Scootaloo snickered.

“No… I didn’t…”

Scootaloo’s laughing seized and they suddenly eyed Applebloom.

“Don’t ya’ll look at me! Ah didn’t say’ anythin’.”

“Well if you two didn’t say it... And I didn’t say it… Then who said it?”

“Ahem!” The fillies turned their eyes towards the source of the sound and found themselves staring at their ‘bug’. They watched, with mouths agape as Alex stood upright, cleared his throat and waved at them. “Hello.”

The three fillies gasped as they leaned over Alex with disbelief in their eyes. Their little bug talked!

“Did… Did it just… talk?” Scootaloo stuttered surprised.

“Nah’… It… It couldn’ have!” Applebloom replied in same manner.

“But… Bugs don’t talk…” Sweetie Belle sounded worried.

“I do and I did. And I would prefer if you didn’t call me ‘it’ or a ‘bug’.” Alex said, regarding them confidently as he stood straight with his arms crossed.

The fillies looked nervously at one another. Eventually they became more curious and bravely introduced themselves.

“Uh… Hi.” Applebloom waved at him. “Mah’ name’s Applebloom…”

“Sweetie Belle.”

“And I’m Scootaloo.” The little pegasus tried to act cool. Suddenly all three huddled together. “And we’re- ”

“THE CUTIE MARK CRUSADERS!”

'Ouch!' Alex shielded his ears. As the ringing finally subsided, he straightened himself and coughed. “Okay… Let’s see.” He pointed at one filly at the time while recalling their names. “Applebloom… Sweetie Belle… and Scootaloo…” the little pegasus’ wings buzzed excitedly while she nodded. Alex kept looking curiously at her. “Really? You’re named after a chicken?”

Scootaloo was taken aback by that. Applebloom giggled, while Sweetie Belle tried to muffle her laughter (failing miserably).

“HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!”

Scootaloo fumed. “Hey! I’m not a chicken!” she growled at them. Applebloom and Sweetie Belle quickly stopped giggling and tried to act innocent. Scowling at Alex, Scootaloo moved closer to the jar. “More importantly, what are you? And how is it that you can talk?”

Having finished chuckling, Alex got serious. He decided to enact his plan and became the one thing his clever mind could think of.

“Me?” He danced around a bit while smiling. “Why I’m a Leprechaun.”

Maybe not the cleverest idea ever, but it had to do… It was either that or genie, and genie material he was not.

“LEPRECHAUN?!?” The fillies exclaimed in unison as they looked at one another in surprise.

“That’s right! I’m a Leprechaun from the Everfree Forest. I was just visiting your lovely orchard when you trapped me inside this jar.” They all dropped her ears and blushed.

“Sorry…” Scootaloo said sheepishly.

“It’s alright.” He waved it off. “You meant no harm by it. And you did save me from a nasty spider.”

“Aw! No biggie!” smiled Scootaloo.

“Ah’ never heard of a ‘Leprycan’ befur.” said Applebloom, clearly unable to pronounce it. “What’s that?”

“It’s Leprechaun." he corrected her. "We are magical creatures and I couldn’t help overhearing your little cutie mark problem.” The surprised fillies eyed their flanks and realized he had heard everything they talked about. “I believe I can help you with that.”

“YOU CAN?!” they all exclaimed in unison, with stars twinkling in their eyes.

“Seeing as how you fairly caught me, it’s the Leprechaun Code to grant the wishes of his captors in exchange for his freedom.” He took a bow.

The fillies excitedly looked at eachother. “Did you hear that?!” Sweetie Belle beamed.

“Awesome!” cheered Scootaloo.

Applebloom suddenly became unsure. “Wait, let me see Ah got tis’ straight… Yer sayin’ ya’ll goin’ to help us get our cutie marks. How?”

“Why, with a little ‘Leprechaun magic’, that’s how!” Alex smirked, playfully wiggling his fingers about. He crossed his arms while glowing with self-confidence. ‘Giggle! This is going to be easy!’

BOP!

Alex suddenly found his view obstructed by a large crack on the glass.

“Well? What are you waitin’ fer?” asked an excited Applebloom as she presented her rear right in front of him. “Give me mah cutie mark!”

“Uh…”

BOP! BOP!

“Yeah!” added Scootaloo as both she and Sweetie Belle did the same and surrounded him. “Use your ‘Lepercan’ magic on us and give us cutie marks.”

“It’s Leprechaun…” Alex corrected nervously. Somehow this backfired on him. “I uh… Cough! Listen girls, this isn’t…”

“What’s wrong? Ah thought ya said y’d help us get cutie marks?”

“Yes but-”

“Well then what are you waiting for? Do it already!” demanded Scootaloo.

“Please? We’re desperate!” pleaded Sweetie Belle.

“Do me first!” said Applebloom.

“No way! I want to go first!” argued Scootaloo.

“No! ME!” shouted Sweetie Belle.

As they argued, they unwittingly began pressing and rubbing their rears against the glass, cutting off all light. Alex knew he had to break this up before they smothered him.

“GIRLS! GIRLS!!!” His sudden yelling made the girls stop. By now they had backed themselves in so much they had basically lifted him up from the floor. “THAT’S NOT HOW IT WORKS!!!”

They quickly removed themselves from him, causing the jar to drop down on the floor. The jar wobbled a bit before finally resting in its upright position. The girls approached the jar with concern.

“Omgosh! We’re so sorry! Are ya okay?” asked Applebloom concerned.

Rubbing his head and muttering something not meant for the ears of children, Alex got back up on his feet while the fillies stared at him.

“Mr. Leprechaun?” asked Sweetie Belle.

“It’s Lep-!” He blinked and shook his head. “Nevermind…” He breathed a sigh of relief. “I’m okay. And just call me Alex, please.”

“Oh good!” exclaimed Scootaloo with relief as she suddenly pressed her muzzle in front of him, making him jump. “So? How do we get the cutie marks?”

Alex then rubbed his chin and acted hesitant. "I don't know... You girls don’t seem to be quite ready yet. Perhaps I shouldn't..."

“Pretty please?” Sweetie Belle begged.

“We’ll do anything!” said Applebloom.

“ANYTHING!” exclaimed Scootaloo, buzzing her wings.

Alex smirked as the plan seemed to work. “Did you say ‘anything’?”

“Sure did!” Scootaloo smiled. “Just name it.”

*****

“A little more wind please.”

Scootaloo sighed looking rather annoyed as she used her wings to cool Alex off as he lay back comfortably on a large pillow. “This is not exactly how I pictured it…”

“Here’s the applejuice Mr. Leppeychaun!” said Applebloom as she trotted up to him with a glass of applejuice on a tray, equipped with a curly straw. She lowered it down beside Alex and held it as he took a few sips, enjoying the sweet taste.

“Thank you Applebloom. And it’s Leprechaun.”

“Here! Let me fluff your pillow again!” asked Sweetie Belle. Alex was magically lifted up as Sweetie used her magic to fluff and soften the pillow before setting him down again. “Comfy?”

“Thank you Sweetie Belle.” he smiled. Sweetie Belle happily smiled back.

“Shall I sing you a song?” Sweetie Belle suddenly asked Alex. Before he could answer, Sweetie Belle had already started singing.

~~~~~

“There was a colt who had a dog, and Bingo was his name-o~!

B- I- NGO~! B- I- NGO~!
B- I- NGO~!

AND BINGO WAS HIS NAME-O~!”

~~~~~

Apperantly she was putting TOO much effort in it. Alex covered his ears and grimaced at the sound of her high-pitched singing. Even Applebloom and Scootaloo grimaced at the horrible singing. Scootaloo started flapping her wings so much it nearly blew Alex off the pillow. The glass with applejuice on Applebloom’s tray suddenly shattered, soaking Alex from head to toe.

~~~~~

“There was a…~!

~~~~~

“SWEETIE BELLE!” shouted Alex, silencing her. “That’s… That’s enough Sweetie Belle. Thank you. That was… pleasant.”

“Really?” she chirped. “Want to hear another one?” She inhaled the air and was about to sing another song.

“NO!!!”

Sweetie Belle exhaled in confusion as Alex, Applebloom and Scootaloo yelled in unison.

“I mean… I’ll hear your lovely singing later, okay?” said Alex. Sweetie Belle smiled and went to do something else for him. ‘Sweet girl…’ Alex chuckled silently to himself as he leaned back on the comfy pillow. ‘Needs singing lessons though…’

“Uh… Ah don’t mean to bother ya or anythin’ Mr. ‘Lep-eri-caan’…” said Applebloom, still struggeling to pronounce his name. “…but isn’t it bout’ time ya gave us our cutie marks yet? It's been a while now...”

“Hm?” Alex muttered before realizing she asked him a question. “I’m sorry, what..?”

“Yeah… We are going to get our cutie marks, aren’t we?” asked Scootaloo. “I mean, it is the reason we’re doing this, right?” They now all looked at him, eagerly waiting for an answer. Alex only now realized he had goofed it up.

“Oh! Um… Your cutie marks! Ahehe!” he laughed nervously while pulling on the neck of his sweater. His original plan was to get out of the jar and leave with the fake promise of cutie marks in return. But since the fillies were so desperate for cutie marks, he couldn’t pass up a chance to be waited on hand and foot. Not to mention the club house seemed like the perfect place to hide out while he tried to figure out on how to fix his problem.
The only options he had so far was unicorn magic, and he really had no intention of letting Twilight help him just so she could capture him again. He did consider Sweetie Belle, but quickly found out her talent for magic was almost as bad as her solo singing.

As much as Alex enjoyed this little happy hour, he knew it only be a matter of time before their patience with him ran out.

“Of course, your cutie marks! I haven’t forgotten.” He laughed nervously as he started to sweat. “I haven’t forgotten! Cough! You see girls… The thing is-”

“Y’ ain’t givin’ us cutie marks, are ya?” Applebloom bluntly asked with a frown, clearly beginning to show signs of distrust. Scootaloo seized her role as an air-conditioner and Sweetie Belle dropped her feather duster, narrowing their eyes at him.

“Um…” Alex gulped. “Of course I am! I’m… I’m giving you… ‘Leprechaun Servant’ cutie marks!”

“LEPRECHAUN SERVANTS?!?” the fillies exclaimed in unison.

‘Please tell me I did not just say that…’ He gulped again. He was really up the creek now. He watched as all three fillies ganged up on him, regarding him with a serious look in their eyes. ‘That’s it! I’m done for!’

“So… Do we get one?” asked Applebloom.

Alex’s jaw fell. “What..?”

“Do we get our ‘Peprechaun Servant’ cutie marks?” asked Scootaloo. “Did I get it? I did cool you off.”

“What ‘bout me? Ah served ya’ drinks.” said Applebloom.

“What about me? I sang for you!” exclaimed Sweetie Belle. “Listen! B-I- Hmpf!?” She was quickly silenced by Applebloom and Scootaloo before she could finish.

Alex was speechless. He expected them to get mad. But now it just got worse! Not to mention how mad they really would be once they found out he wasn’t a magical Leprechaun. In the end, there was only one thing to do.

“As a matter of fact girls, you have! CONGRATULATIONS!” he smiled.

The fillies gasped and happily turned around to see their new cutie marks. Their happy expressions quickly dashed once they discovered they were still blank flanks.

“Um… Mr. Lepardkahn..? We don’t see any-” the fillies eyes widened and they gasped as Alex was suddenly gone. “Hey, where did he go?” shouted Scootaloo. They cantered up to the pillow but, aside from his imprint on it, there was no trace of him.

“What about our cutie marks?” wailed Sweetie Belle.

“That no good cheater! He’s trying to weasel us out of our cutie marks” exclaimed Scootaloo angrily. “Look everywhere! He has to be around here somewhere!”

The Crusaders searched all over their club house for him. “Found ‘im?” asked Applebloom.

“No!” said Sweetie Belle from up the attic.

“He’s not out here!” said Scootaloo as she opened the door to look outside.

Applebloom stood thinking for a moment before she noticed the pillow seemed to be moving towards the door.

“Hm…”

Crouching down, Applebloom sneaked up on the pillow and carefully lifted it up, revealing Alex as he had so cleverly hidden under the pillow and used it as a means to escape. Only until he felt the load he was carrying was lighter than it was just seconds ago, he tilted his head up and turned around.

“Goin’ somewhere?” Applebloom asked as she eyed him very closely with a sly grin.

“Uh… Yeah!”

POKE!

Alex suddenly poked Applebloom in the eye. “GAH!” With Applebloom momentarily blinded in one eye, Alex made his way towards the open door.

“Sweetie Belle! The jar!” Applebloom called out.

“I got it! Woah!” Running while holding the jar with her forelegs, Sweetie Belle was nearly on top of him when she tripped over her hind legs and dropped the jar, causing it to roll towards Alex. The sudden impact of Sweetie Belle hitting the floor caused Alex to suddenly jolt up from the floor and onto the jar, log rolling it towards the door.

“Scootaloo! Behind ya!”

“Huh?” Scootaloo turned her head and glanced down just in time as Alex passed her and out the door. “Hey!”

Alex grinned and stuck his tongue out at her as he was just moments away from freedom.

“NO YOU DON’T!” yelled Scootaloo and slammed her hooves down on the boardwalk. It loosened and suddenly lifted up like a drawbridge, stopping Alex just as he reached the end. He started rolling back towards the waiting hooves of Scootaloo. “Got you!” she grinned. He was moving too fast however and slipped between her legs, causing her flip over on her back as she tried to grab him.

“Whew!” Alex dried his forehead before he suddenly found Applebloom and Sweetie Belle right in front of him, ready to grab him. He made a sharp turn and evaded them. They quickly gave chase and soon Alex was being chased all over the room with the two fillies close behind.

“Come back here ya ‘Leppycaan’!” yelled Applebloom.

“It’s Leprechaun!” corrected Sweetie Belle.

Knowing that his way out the door now was impossible, Alex saw the window and decided to make a go for it. Rolling close to the wall, Alex made a sharp turn just as the fillies were close enough, causing them to crash into the wall.

CRASH!

“Ouch…” Applebloom dizzily rubbed her head while Sweetie Belle tried to pull her horn out of the wall.

With his pursuers momentarily out, Alex rolled across the floor towards the window. The jar was suddenly stopped by a tipped-over stool and Alex was sent flying towards the window, grabbing the curtain.

“Oh no you don’t!” yelled Scootaloo as she finished closing the door. She quickly galloped over and grabbed the curtain with her teeth. With all her strength, she pulled the curtain down along with Alex.

CRASH!

As the dust settled, Scootaloo pulled herself up from the floor, with the curtain drapped over her. “Where did he go?” She looked around beside her, behind her and between her legs before she noticed movement underneath the curtain on her back. She pulled it off and found him.

Without thinking, Alex suddenly grabbed her mane and, without really understanding why, he kicked his heels on her sides. Surprised, Scootaloo’s wings suddenly flared up, she reared and made a whining sound as she began galloping around the room.

“What the-? HEY! Get off!”

“Scootaloo?” asked Applebloom.

“Don’t just stand there! Get him off!”

The two fillies started chasing Scootaloo. “Scootaloo! Stop!”

“I… I can’t!”

Alex was puzzled by this as well. Somehow he had triggered a natural reflex in Scootaloo, making her run against her will. By pulling her mane, he also found himself being able to guide her wherever he wanted.

“OUCH! Hey! Stop that!”

This proved useful as her friends tried their best to stop her. Sweetie Belle tried to simply block her, only to be easily bypassed. She then teamed up with Applebloom, but even then they were easily evaded. They tried tipping over a table and use it a blockade, but they graced over it with easy.

Alex then realized something and grinned. Making a sharp turn, he made Scootaloo gallop towards the window. Picking up the pace, Alex pulled back and made her jump out the window.

“Fly! Fly to freedom! Ahaha-ha!” Alex laughed like a maniac as he felt the wind in his hair.

“I can’t fly!”

“Ahahaha- Say what!?”

CRASH!

“SCOOTALOO!” yelled the two fillies.

“Oooh…” As the dust settled, Scootaloo and Alex were lying on the ground with their eyes rolling. They had stopped short in mid-air and plummeted straight to the ground hard. Alex sat up and painfully rubbed his head while shaking off the three imaginary fillies that galloped around his head. Scootaloo lay on the ground behind him with her chin planted in the dirt and her rear in the air. She was seeing stars that resembled Alex.

Alex dusted himself off, only to quickly find that Scootaloo had recovered as well and was glaring at him while still in her crashed position. “Ahehe… sorry?” He was about to make a break for it, only to get caught as Scootaloo grabbed him by the jacket with her teeth and lifted him off the ground.

As the others lowered the boardwalk, Scootaloo trotted quickly back inside with Alex struggling to free himself.

*****

“OOF!”

Alex was dropped rather roughly back inside the jar as they sealed it tight. Alex felt he had that coming, but now it seemed to look pretty dark for him as they again surrounded him with a now hateful look in their eyes.

“Give us our cutie marks!” demanded Scootaloo.

“You promised!” said an even angrier Sweetie Belle. “You said it was the Leprechaun Code!”

“I can’t!” said Alex.

“Do it or else I’ll tell Rainbow Dash!” threatened Scootaloo.

“NO! PLEASE DON’T!!” Alex wailed. “I’ll confess! Look! I can’t give you cutie marks because…” He gulped. He nervously pushed his fingers together and smiled sheepishly. “…because I have no magic…”

The fillies gasped. “You lied?!?” exclaimed Sweetie Belle. She picked up the jar and started shaking it. “You naughty little Leprechaun! If my sister Rarity was here, she’d teach you a thing or two!”

“Relax Sweetie Belle.” said Applebloom, taking Alex off her hooves and placing him back on the floor while Sweetie Belle huffed with anger. A dizzy Alex wobbled around as he tried to stop the room from spinning. As much as she thought he deserved that, she couldn’t help but feel a bit sorry for him at this moment.

“Well this is just great!” Scootaloo huffed. “If we can’t use Leprechaun magic, then what can we do now?” They all slumped down on their haunches, completely out of ideas.
They sat and pondered for a while until Scootaloo’s ears perked. “Wait! I got it!” She sprung up on her hooves and grinned as she eyed Alex deviously. “I know how he can get our cutie marks! We can be Leprechaun Experts!”

“Leprechaun Experts?” Applebloom and Sweetie Belle said as they sprung up. Alex curiously cocked his eyebrow.

“That’s a great idea!” said Applebloom with a smirk as she too eyed Alex. Alex gulped as he started to have a bad feeling about this. “If nopony in Ponyville have ever seen a Leprechaun befur…”

“…Then maybe nopony in Equestria has too!” Sweetie Belle interjected, giving Alex an equally menacing glare while grinning.

“We can bring ‘im to school for ‘Show n’ Tell’!” added Applebloom. “Show him off to the whole class!”

“That’s an even better idea!” said Sweetie Belle. “Although…” She looked at Alex. “….I think he needs to be more presentable.” she said with a wryly grin. “I’ll ask Rarity to borrow some of her fabrics and sewing equipment and make a nice little suit for him, with a cute little hat. I’m thinking green is the color.”

‘Well, they certainly got that part correct…’ Alex sighed. He could just see himself wearing some stupid Leprechaun outfit as hordes of little ponies were laughing and pointing at him.

Suddenly, the jar moved as Scootaloo pulled it towards her, causing Alex to tumble a bit. “Then it’s settled!” Scootaloo banged her hoof on the floor. They huddled together, held Alex high up and shouted in unison.

“CUTIE MARK CRUSADERS: LEPRECHAUN EXPERTS! YAY!”

The suffering Alex felt was unbearable. If they kept this up, it wouldn’t be long before he had gone completely deaf. There was however a much more pressing concern. He was about to become a school’s science project; A hamster to be led inside a maze, a mouse forced to find the cheese, a frog to be…
Alex shook that last horrible idea out of his head. There was no way these cute fillies would even stoop to that. Still, the biggest concern was them revealing him to the other ponies. Once word got out, it wouldn’t be long before the six ‘nightmares’ showed up to pry him away from the fillies.
He had to stop them somehow.

“Please! I beg of you!” pleaded Alex. Hearing his pleas, the three fillies placed him back on the floor and listened. “Look… I know I can’t get you your cutie marks. But if you let me go, I’ll… I’ll…” Alex was sweating. “I’ll give you all my big pot of gold Bits!”

“A BIG POT OF GOLD BITS!?!” the filles exclaimed surprised.

Alex began to sweat. ‘Smooth Alex… Real smooth…’

“Okay!” Applebloom suddenly said and reached for the lid.

“Hey!" Scootaloo swatted Applebloom’s hoof away. “What are you doing?”

“What? Them’ gold Bits sound like a sweet deal. Plus Ah think he’s real sorry now.”

“Oh please! He’s just trying to trick us again.” said Scootaloo as she lightly kicked the jar. “Besides, a cutie mark is worth more than all the Bits in the world.” Alex slumped down in defeat. He knew there was no way he could bargain his way out of this one.

“Yer probably right…” said Applebloom.

“Then it’s settled!” Scootaloo smiled . “We’re going need books and quills.” she said. “We’ll go and ask Twilight for some.”

“And fabrics!” added Sweetie Belle. “We’ll stop by Rarity on the way!”

“To the scooter!” shouted Scootaloo as they raced to the door. They stopped just as they noticed they were one short. “Coming Applebloom?”

Applebloom took a quick glance at Alex. “Um… Ah’ think Ah’ should stay here. You know jus’ to keep an’ eye on ‘im so he doesn’t get away.”

The others looked at one another and nodded in agreement. “Good idea! We’ll be back as soon!” Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle were quickly out the door.

Now alone, Applebloom trotted over to Alex who was still in his defeated pose and picked up the jar. She held him close at eye-level.

“Was it true about what ya’ll said?” She earned his surprised attention. “About tha’ big pot of gold Bits?”

*****

The buzzing of Scootaloo’s wings echoed through the forest as she sped away in her scooter, with Sweetie Belle sitting in the trolley.

“This is gonna be great!” said Scootaloo. “We’ll definitely earn our cutie marks now.”

“Yeah!” said Sweetie Belle. “And I can’t wait to start working on that suit. I’m sure Rarity won’t mind us borrowing some of her fabric...”

SCREECH!

Scootaloo suddenly grinded her scooter to a screeching halts, causing Sweetie Belle to tumble forward in the trolley. “Ow! Hey!? What wrong Scootaloo?”

“What do you suppose they’re doing?”

Sweetie Belle looked in the direction of where Scootaloo pointed and was as perplexed as her.

They had stopped just outside of Sweet Apple Acres. In the apple orchard, four ponies were trotting carefully about and searching through the grass.

“Try here Twilight!” Twilight aimed her horn to where Spike was pointing and lifted various bugs and wildlife up from the ground with her magic while Spike inspected them one by one. “Nope… Nope… Nope…”

“Find anythin’ Winona?” Applejack asked as her dog sniffed through the grass. She looked up at her master and whined sadly as she had been unsuccessful in her task. Applejack patted her on the head. “Don’t worry hon’, jus’ keep lookin’.”

Oh! Careful bunnies…” Fluttershy whispered as she hovered above ground. Several bunnies beneath her searched through the grass. “Anything Angel?” Angel popped his head up, shook it and shrugged. “Oh, it’s okay Angel… Just keep searching. Um… Please?”

“Hm?” Pinkie Pie popped her head out the grass, sporting rather outlandish device on her head with a series of magnifying glasses, strange specs and enhanced hearing apparatuses crafted on it. On her back were various butterfly nets. She suddenly heard something in the grass in front of her and used her specs to zoom in on the grass. There was movement.
“Hmmm?!” She grinned as she slowly pulled off her helmet. She snuck up on her target and, like a cat, curled up and pounced on it. Having it firmly in her hooves, she brought it close to her face with a big smile. “Aha! Gotcha!”

WHAM!

A spider suddenly jumped out of her hooves and directly in her face, causing her fall over and roll around on the grass shrieking as she tried to fight it off.

“GETITOFFGETITOFFGETITOFF!!!”

Watching the whole thing, the two fillies looked at eachother and decided to check it out. They parked the scooter and trotted over to the nearest pony, Twilight. She looked exhausted.

“Hey Twilight? What are you-?”

“STOP RIGHT THERE!” Twilight suddenly yelled. The two fillies instantly froze, only to be covered by Twilight’s magic as she lifted them up in the air and checked beneath their hooves. Letting out a relived sigh, Twilight gently put them back down. “Thank Celestia… Sorry about that girls, but you could’ve stepped on-” She sealed her lips.

“Stepped on what?” asked Sweetie Belle, looking at Scootaloo who shared her confusion.

Twilight bit her lip as she realized she was talking ahead of herself. The last thing she needed was to involve the Crusaders. “Uh… Nopo- I- I mean, I’ve lost something very important in the orchard, and I really need to find it.”

The two fillies looked rather confused at Twilight . “What about them?” asked Scootaloo, pointing at her friends.

“They’ve… lost something really important too.” Twilight smiled sheepishly, just as Pinkie ran screaming passed behind her, still fighting off the spider.

“I see…” nodded Scootaloo, curious as to how all four of them happened to lose something in the orchard on the same day.

“Can we help?” asked Sweetie Belle.

“Nonono! We’re fine! We got everything under control…” She smiled nervously as she noticed Spike signaling her to check another part of the grass. “…nothing to be concerned about.” She used her magic and immediately went to work. “It’s nice of you to ask though…”

“You sure?” asked Sweetie Belle again. “We could be of help-”

“We can’t, Sweetie Belle.” interrupted Scootaloo. “We gotta get to Ponyville, remember?”

“Oh yeah!” Sweetie Belle realized. “We got to go Twilight. By the way, could we borrow some quills and books from the library? We’ve got a project going on.”

“Project? What kind of project?”

“We’re going to be 'Lepridaan' Experts.” said Scootaloo.

"'Leprechaun' Experts." Sweetie Belle corrected her.

“That’s nice, girls.” Twilight said rather offhandedly. “Just make sure you return everything afterwards.”

“We will.” they said as they trotted back to the scooter.

Twilight continued her search. ‘Looks like the Cutie Mark Crusaders are at it again.’ She giggled. ‘Leprechaun Experts… Those fillies sure can come up with the most silly-’ Her head suddenly shot up and her eyes widened. Her magic seized abruptly, causing all the bugs she was levitating to drop all over Spike. “Leprechaun!?!”

A VERY interested and curious Twilight suddenly appeared right in front of the two fillies, startling them. “Excuse me girls! Just what do you mean by ‘Leprechaun’?”

The confused fillies looked at eachother. There was a tense moment before Sweetie Belle finally said something. “We’ve got this really obnoxious (but rather cute) Leprechaun in our club house.”

“I caught him here in the orchard.” said Scootaloo.

Twilight’s eyes grew wider as it seemed her suspicions were confirmed. “You caught him..? A Leprechaun..? Here..? In the orchard..?”

“Yeah..?” The look on Twilight’s face made Scootaloo feel uneasy.

Twilight suddenly looked passed them towards the orchard. Her friends were still searching, unaware of their conversation.

“What’s going on Twi- ?” Spike asked annoyed, having brushed off the last bugs and only to be silenced by a zipper that magically appeared over his mouth. Twilight then used her magic again and teleported them all behind the nearest apple tree.

“Girls, this Leprechaun… Does it have two arms, two legs, wears clothes, hair on its head and goes by the name Alex?”

“Yup! That’s him.” replied Scootaloo. The girls then looked surprised. “Wait, you’ve seen him too?”

“Aaaaw…” lamented Sweetie Belle. They had really hoped nopony knew about him.

Twilight held her mouth in suppressed joy. The Cutie Mark Crusaders had found Alex! Breathing heavily with excitement, she thought for a moment as she removed the zipper from Spike’s mouth.
“OUCH! Twilight? What gives-!?” She shushed him. She then pulled him in a private conversation away from the fillies. Spike was beginning to get slightly annoyed with all this secrecy.

“Spike!” she whispered. “They have Alex!”

Spike’s eyes grew wide. “Really?” he whispered. “That’s great!”

“But I need to get to him without the others getting suspicious.”

“So what do we do?”

Twilight only had a moment to think. “I have an idea.”

*****

Moments later, as all ponies continued their search, Spike suddenly came running, concealing something in his claws.

“TWILIGHT! I CAUGHT HIM! I CAUGHT HIM!”

“Quick Spike, give him here!” yelled Twilight.

“Oh no you don’t!” yelled Applejack and blocked Spike’s path to Twilight. “Give ‘im to me, Spike!”

“Applejack! Spike caught him! He’s mine!”

“Like ya said Twi; the pony that finds Alex gets to keep ‘im! Spike found ‘im and he ain’t a pony!”

“Your… right. I suppose..?” Twilight replied, confused by that logic.

“Alright Spike, hand ‘im over!” Suddenly, she was bumped aside by Pinkie Pie. “Off!”

“Na ah, he’s mine! Pttt~!” Pinkie stuck her tongue out at Applejack before turning her attention to Spike. “Give him to me Spike! Pretty pleeeaaase! I’ll make you jewel incrusted caaaaake~!” said Pinkie, sporting the widest grin ever.

“With emerald frosting?” asked Spike hopefully.

“Ye- Off!” Before Pinkie could answer, she was suddenly tackled to ground by Applejack, leaving the path open for Fluttershy.

“Please Spike. Give him to me. I’ll be ever so gentle…” Fluttershy held out her hooves, as her sweet voice and large pleading eyes almost made him go limp.

“SPIKE! RUN!” yelled Twilight. Snapping out his trance, Spike bolted away as fast as he could. His departure caught the attention of Applejack and Pinkie Pie.

“SPIKE!? GET BACK HERE, CONSARNIT!”

The three ponies and their pets followed in pursuit, leaving Twilight behind. Twilight chuckled as her plan had worked to perfection.

“Is Spike going to be alright?” asked Sweetie Belle worried.

“Don’t worry about Spike.” Twilight said reassuringly. “He can handle himself. Now, why don’t you take me to your club house and show me that ‘Leprechaun’?”

The two fillies looked at eachother. Scootaloo rubbed the back of her head. “Gee Twilight, we’d love to but I don’t know…”

“You’re not going to take him away from us, are you?” asked Sweetie Belle worried.

Twilight was at a loss for words. She hadn’t expected this.

“We just want to earn our Leprechaun Experts cutie marks.” she then added.

Twilight felt a knot in her stomach. As much as she wanted Alex back, she couldn’t just rip him out of the fillies’ hooves like that. She had to make them some kind of exchange or compromise. “Tell you what, my little ponies. How about I help you out with your project…”

“Really? You’d help us get our cutie marks?” chirped Sweetie Belle.

Twilight nodded. “I’ll help you out with the reports and presentations. And in return, you lend him to me. Deal?” The two fillies looked at eachother and nodded in agreement. It seemed fair enough. “So, how about you take me to him?”

*****

Not too far away, Spike was running for dear life as the ponies slowly but steadily gained on him. He tried to create as much distance from them and Twilight as possible. Applejack suddenly used her lasso and managed to throw it around Spike’s tail. With one yank, Spike tumbled to the ground and was quickly pinned down by Winona and Angel. The ponies ran up and surrounded him.

“Hand ‘im over, Spike!” demanded Applejack.

“Um… Please?” Fluttershy whispered.

“No.” Spike answered and held his concealment close.

“Spike?” Applejack’s eyes narrowed.

“I said NO!”

“Move aside girls!” Pinkie Pie pushed the others roughly away, cracked her hooves and gripped firmly around his arms to pry open his claws. Spike struggled as he used all his strength to keep them shut, but ultimately discovered he didn’t have the strength to fight her. Pinkie grinned as she saw that he was starting to get tired. “I have you now!”
With one suppressed ‘grunt’, Pinkie finally pried his claws open. “AHA!”

WHAM!

“GETITOFFGETITOFFGETITOFF!!!”

A spider concealed in Spike’s claws suddenly jumped up in Pinkie Pie’s face.

Applejack and Fluttershy stared deadpanned at Pinkie as she tumbled around on the grass before turning their sights back on Spike, who now sat there laughing nervously.

“Eh… Hehe. Sorry..?”

Applejack scowled at him before realizing that one of them was missing. “Hey! Where’s Twi?” Fluttershy just shrugged while Pinkie Pie kept rolling around on the ground behind them.

“-GETITOFFGETITOFFGETITOFFGETITOFFGETITOFFGETITOFF!!!”

*****

“So… He’s not a Leprechaun?” asked Sweetie Belle as she and Scootaloo led Twilight back to their club house.

“I’m sorry girls.” Twilight said. “He’s actually a human from another world.”

“Darn it!” Scootaloo groaned. “He even lied about that too! Now we’ll never get our Leprechaun Expert cutie marks.”

“Don’t look so gloomy, Scootaloo.” Sweetie said, trying to cheer her up. “Now that we know what he really is, we can be Human Experts.”

Scootaloo’s ears perked. That seemed to cheer her up. “Your right!” She skid the scooter to a halt and they huddled together.

“CUTIE MARK CRUSADERS; HUMAN EXPERTS! YAY!”

Twilight gritted her teeth and rubbed her ear with her hoof in agony. She admired the spirit of these fillies, yet she kind of wished they wouldn’t yell like that every time. Still, she didn’t have time to be concerned about that. Right now she had to get to Alex. She was more concerned for his wellbeing.
It wasn’t long before they finally reached the club house. Twilight’s heart was racing. She was so close to finally getting Alex back. They all went up and Scootaloo opened the door.

“Applebloom? We're back! We brought Twilight and… Applebloom?” Applebloom wasn’t there.

“Where’s Applebloom?” asked Sweetie Belle.

“Applebloom isn’t here?” asked Twilight.

“She said she’d stay behind to watch…” Scootaloo pointed at the table, only to gasp. The jar was gone. “He’s gone!”

“What!?” yelled Twilight.

“Applebloom and Alex are gone!” exclaimed Scootaloo.

“But… She said she was going to stay here and keep an eye on him. Where could they’ve gone?” asked a worried Sweetie Belle.

Twilight glanced at the table. She then eyed the interior of the club house before drawing her sights back outside. Using her magic, she cast a spell that made hoofprints made in the last 24 hours to appear. And boy there were a lot of hoofprints…
One track of hoofprints however, led down a different path away from the club house.

“Those tracks lead to the Everfree Forest!” said Twilight.

“Uh oh…” Scootaloo uttered, drawing Twilight's attention. She held up a note. “I know where she’s going…”

Chapter 10: Chicken Run

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Chapter 10: Chicken Run

Earlier…

“Well? Is it true about what ya'll said? About the pot of gold Bits?”

It had barely been a minute since Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle left the club house and leaving Alex alone with Applebloom. He had pretended to be a Leprechaun and promising them cutie marks, while at the same time taking advantage of the situation by having them wait on him hand and foot when he should’ve been escaping. Eventually, that scheme didn’t last long and now he was doomed to become their school science project.
Once the others had left to fetch books and material for their work, Applebloom had stayed behind to keep an eye on him. Or so he thought…

“What?” Alex asked confused.

“Ya’ said ya’ll had a pot of gold Bits somewhere, right?”

“Uh… Yeah?” Alex said.

“A REALLY big pot of gold Bits? Lots of Bits?” her eyes gleamed.

Alex saw the look in her eyes. She was being serious! He immediately saw this as a possible means for an escape and decided against better judgment to continue his little charade. “That’s right.” He extended his arms. “A big, BIG pot of gold Bits! With SO many Bits it’s nearly impossible to count them all.”

The mere mention of THAT many Bits made Applebloom more excited as her ears flickered. “Holy Appleseed! An’ ya’ said ya’ll would give us the Bits once we set ya’ free, right?”

“That’s right!” Alex smiled. Now came the hard part. Ince he was out of the jar, we would to convince Applebloom to wait in the club house while he went to ‘fetch his gold’ to her. The key to his freedom lay with the little filly’s trust in him and he hoped his talk of gold had won her over. “Just open the lid, wait here and I shall return with the gold.”

Applebloom was about to open it, when a thought suddenly crossed her mind. She looked at Alex and pulled away her hoof. “Wait… How do Ah know ya’ll keep yer promise?”

Alex jaw fell as the question he had hoped not to answer was asked. He had seen it coming a mile away, but had blindly hoped his talks of great fortune had blinded her of rational thought. Sweating, he decided to try anyway. “I swear on my ‘Leprechaun Code’ that I’ll return once I find the gold.” He held his left hand over his chest and raised his right hand.

Applebloom narrowed her eyes and didn’t seem convinced. “Ya lied to us about them cutie marks. How am Ah sure y’ jus’ won’t run off once Ah let ya go?” She then eyed him a bit closer. “And if the pot of gold is as big as ya’ll say it is, how are ya supposed to get it here?”

Alex was silent for a moment as he realized he had forgotten something important. Thinking fast, he smiled sheepishly before answering.

“Um… With my Leprechaun magic...? Squee!”

“Ah thaught ya’ said ya’ll ain’t got no magic?” said Applebloom as she cocked her eyebrow.

Alex blinked. “Oh that… Ehehe… You see, what I meant was…” Alex’s plan started fall apart like leafs on an apple tree during autumn.

“Hey! I know! Why don’t ya’ jus’ tell me?” Appleblom chirped. “If ya’ll jus’ tell me now, Ah’ll carry ya there n’ let ya go once we get there!”

This filly, for lack of a better word, was brighter than she looked. He knew he would be screwed once she realized he was only leading her astray. He decided to pull out all the stops.

“No!” he folded his arms and turned away. “The gold lies someplace very secret only us Leprechauns know about and we’ve sworn to never reveal it to ponies. Especially young fillies.”

Applebloom was stunned. She lifted him up and held him at eye level. “What? But..”

“No ‘buts’!” Alex stomped his foot against the glass. “Release me now, and I shall bring you the gold!”

Applebloom pressed her face hard against the glass with her puppy dog eyes. “Please Mr. ‘Peppercan’? Ah’ promise Ah’ll set ya’ free.”

‘Awww! How cute-’ Alex shook his head. “No!”

“If ya don’t tell me right now, we’ll jus’ wait here til’ Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle return…” she said with menacing tone, trying to scare him. “Ah’ll bet y’ll look real 'cute' once we’re done with ya’.”

The idea of him standing in a classroom dressed in green was enough to make Alex cringe. He knew he was done for if he couldn’t get out of the club house somehow. But nevertheless, he stood firm. “I don’t care! It’s my freedom or no gold!”

Applebloom’s ears dropped with disappointment. She could tell by the sound of his voice he was not going to tell her anything. She rubbed her chin as she tried to think of an idea. She just had to have those Bits. She remembered her sister Applejack mentioning something about money earlier today and she knew it would really help out her family.
Suddenly, she realized something. She then for unexplained reasons reached up and pulled a string that made a light bulb hanging above her glow as she had an idea. “AH GOT IT! Ya’ll said y’ came from the Everfree Forest, right?”

“Uh… Yeah..?”

“Then that’s where the Bits are!”

Alex’s eyes grew wide and his pupils shrank with horror. This filly wasn’t serious, was she? “No! No way! Bad! Very bad idea!”

Applebloom didn’t listen. She quickly scribbled down a note, telling her friends where she was going and why. She then found some rope and strapped the jar with Alex on her back. She then bolted out of the club house and galloped in the direction of the Everfree Forest.

“APPLEBLOOM, STOP!” yelled Alex. “You can’t go in there! It’s dangerous! Trust me, I know!” She paid him no attention.

“APPLEBLOOM!!!”

*****

Present…

Applebloom hummed happily as she skipped along a path through the dark forest, while Alex on her back looked rather frightened and concerned. After fruitlessly trying to stop her from entering the forest, he had been on constant alert for anything dangerous. Last time he barely got away if it hadn’t been for Rainbow Dash. But now he was smaller, accompanied by a small filly. Things didn’t look good.

‘This is nuts! No, scratch that! Insane!!!’ Alex muttered to himself. The sound of a crow echoed through the woods. He couldn’t take it anymore. Nuts to this! A green suit sounds a whole lot more better than this!
He got up and banged on the glass to get her attention. “Applebloom. This is a really bad idea. Turn around and lets go back to the club house, right now!”

“Not until ya’ll tell me where them Bits are.” She smirked.

Alex realized what she was doing. She was trying to chicken him out by forcing him to tell her where the gold was. He then decided to tell her the truth. No lie was worth this much trouble. He had to tell her right then and there, even if it meant that if the forest didn’t kill them first, Applebloom would kill him.

“Applebloom…”

“Besides, it’s alright. Ah come in here all the time.” Applebloom smiled.

“Applebloom, I have a confe- EEEEH!?!”

“Ah said, Ah come here all the time when Ah’m visiting my friend Zecora.”

“Zecora?”

“She lives in the Everfree Forest. Perhaps ya’ll seen her? She’s a Potion Maker. Makes all kinds of magical potions and brews.

“Potion Maker?”

“Like this one time, Ah chipped mah tooth fallin’ down a hill n’ Zecora fixed it all up again.” she smiled. “She even cured mah big sister Applejack from Poison Joke.”

“Really..?” Alex said, suddenly becoming more intrigued about this Zecora. “Poison Joke, huh?”

“Yeah, it turned mah’ big sister into mah’ little sister. Jus’ bout’ as small as ya’ll.” She giggled. “T’was really funny…”

‘Little sister..?’ Somehow that seemed to explain a few things. “This Poison Joke… Is it some kind of plant..?”

“Eeyup! It’s a blue flower found here in tha’ Everfree.” replied Applebloom.

“Blue flower?” Alex seemed to remember that patch of blue flowers he had hidden himself in during Rainbow Dash’s hunt for him. Putting two and two together, he finally realized what had happened.

Suddenly Applebloom stopped. “Wait… Ah thaught ya’ said ya’ll lived here in tha forest. Didn’t ya know?”

“S- Sure I knew!” he lied. “I just… wanted to see if you knew Squee!.”

“Oh!” Applebloom grinned and continued skipping along.

‘Guess it wasn’t the pie…’ thought Alex with some relief. Then another thought came to him. If he was a victim of this ‘Poison Joke’ and this Zecora cured Applejack of her condition, then maybe she could cure him as well.
Alex decided he had to get to her. He knew he had to play this out just right.

“You know… While I was hiding my gold, it was close to this pony in the forest…”

“What pony?” asked Applebloom.

“You know. That Zecora you talked about…”

“She’s not a pony. She’s a zebra.”

Alex was quiet for a moment. “Like I said, I saw this zebra in the forest. She looked a bit strange…”

“She’s a bit strange yes…” Applebloom giggled. “…but that’s jus’ how she is. She’s real’ nice and she lives in this big ol’ tree in tha’ forest.”

“A big Tree? That’s where I hid my gold Bits!” exclaimed Alex. “I hid it all under the roots of this giant, hollowed out tree that looked like a house.”

“Really?” Applebloom exclaimed happily. “Then let’s go.” She began to pick up the pace. Alex was happy that his ‘small’ problem was soon to be over, but not without concern though. He had just once again lied to a little filly. But if it meant that he’d somehow get back to normal size, he had to take that chance and face the consequences later.
Right now he was more concerned for their safety. There was still the ever-present danger of running into a timberwolf or worse. But as long as they remained quiet, things would be alright-

SCREECH!

“CUTIE MARK CRUSADERS: HUMAN EXPERTS! YAY!”

For no apparent reason whatsoever, Applebloom had stopped dead in her tracks and shouted at the top of her lungs. “What are you doing?” asked Alex bewildered.

“I… don’t know…” answered Applebloom, looking rather puzzled herself.

There was a long pause. Alex looked back in the direction from where they came and questions started circulating inside his head.

“What’s a human?” Applebloom suddenly asked herself as she cocked an eyebrow in confusion. Alex, apparently too caught up in his own conundrum, merely shrugged.

“I have no…” Alex’s eyes widened as he seemed to notice the entire forest seemed to stare at them. “Applebloom..?”

Applebloom gulped. “It’s okay… It’s all…”

RUSTLE!

Applebloom, frightened beyond belief, screamed and blindly ran off the path.

“Applebloom! Wait! STOOOOP!” yelled Alex, while trying (and failing) to maintain his balance as he got tossed around in the jar.

A small Jackalope hopped out of some nearby bushes and titled its head as it watched the scared filly disappear into the darkness of the forest.

*****

To Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo.
Ah’ve taken the Lapredan with me to the Everfree Forest to find his big pot of gold Bits.
Please don’t be mad. We’ll be back soon.

Applebloom

“I can’t believe this!” shouted Sweetie Belle as she read the note one more time. She sat in the trolley while Scootaloo pulled her with impressive speed, trying to keep up with a galloping Twilight.

“I know!” Scootaloo was fuming. She couldn’t believe Applebloom would do something so reckless. Sure, they had wandered through the Everfree Forest several times before, but it was never safe regardless of how careful they were. Especially alone! “I can’t believe Applebloom bought that ‘gold Bit’ story!” She snarled. “When I get my hooves on that little liar…”

“That’s not how you spell Leprechaun!” Sweetie fumed, causing Scootaloo to glance questionably back at her.

“Groan! He’s not a ‘Lepeprecan’!”

“I know, but still… And it’s Leprechaun!”

“Hey Twilight, wait up!” shouted Scootaloo.

Galloping ahead, Twilight was too focused on following the trail of hoofprints that belonged to Applebloom to pay the others any attention. While she was aware of Applebloom’s visits to Zecora, the thought of her traversing the woods alone was always unsettling. Worse, she had Alex with her, placing him (and her Hoofbel Prize) in mortal danger.

‘I do hope they’re safe!’ thought Twilight as the forest finally came into view.

*****

“Are we there yet?” asked a moaning Alex as he continued to rub his sore and aching body.

“Will ya stop askin’ me that!”

After having been scared off the path, Applebloom finally stopped running as she was out of breath. While Alex was recovering from his bumpy ride, he could’ve sworn he heard Applebloom admitting she didn’t recognize where they were, but then soon after denied she did.
Putting on a serious and confident face, Applebloom simply stated that she going to retrace her steps back and find the path to Zecora’s hut in no time.

That was nearly an hour ago.

“Face it Applebloom. You’re lost. You don’t even know where we are now.”

Of course Ah know where we are! Zecora’s hut is jus’ beyond those trees…”

‘That’s what you said 10 minutes ago…’ grumbled Alex as the notion that they were completely lost became more and more evident.
Hold on a minute!” Alex suddenly yelled. “That tree looks awfully familiar!” He pointed at a nearby oak with a strangely curved branch. “Of course it’s familiar. We’ve passed it FIVE times! We’ve been going around in circles! I thought you said you knew the way?”

“And Ah’ do know tha’ way!” Applebloom argued. “It’s not mah fault everythin’ looks the same aroun’ here.”

Alex frowned at her. “Just admit it. We’re lost!”

“We ain’t lost!” Applebloom argued again.

“Are too!”

“Are not!”

“ARE TOO!”

“ARE NOT!”

While they were trotting away arguing, they were unaware of a shadowy figure that slithered up from the nearest bushes. Having been stirred from its slumber, it regarded them menacingly with bright, red eyes.

*****

Somewhere close by, Twilight, Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle were still searching. Leading the way, Twilight was steadily following the trail left behind by Applebloom. It had led them the path to Zecora before suddenly trailing off.

“Strange… The tracks go this way.” She got off the path and followed the tracks, with the fillies close behind. “You two really shouldn’t have come along.”

“Applebloom is our friend Twilight.” said Scootaloo.

“Yeah! And we really need that human to get our cutie marks!” said Sweetie Belle.

Twilight rolled her eyes and sighed. “Fine, but follow me and stay close.”

Scootaloo, forced to leave her scooter behind, tried her best to keep up with Twilight through the thick foliage. She then noticed Sweetie Belle looked more worried than usual. “What’s wrong Sweetie Belle?” This too caught Twilight’s attention.

“I’m just thinking about Spike. Do you think he’s okay Twilight?”

*****

Inside Applejack’s barn, Spike was tied to a chair as menacing shadows approached him.

“No! Please! Not that! Anything but that! TWILIGHT! HEEEELP!”

*****

“I’m sure he’s fine Sweetie Belle.” smiled Twilight. “Don’t worry about him. Just be on the lookout for Applebloom and Alex. They can't be too far away. If we’re quick enough, we might be able to catch up to them before anything else does!”

The three ponies quickly cantered off, following the trail leading further into the woods, unaware that at that moment they disappeared from view, a little bow-wearing figure emerged from the bushes behind them.

Applebloom came to a halt and panted, covered in leaves and foliage. “*Pant!* We… *Pant!* We oughta to be close now…”

“Uh… Applebloom…” Alex earned her attention and pointed at the nearest tree with the curved branch.

“Oh for cryin’ out loud!” fumed Applebloom.

Alex was starting to feel uneasy. The forest had suddenly gone too quiet and he felt a creepy vibe crawling all over him. As if they weren’t alone. As if something was stalking them through the trees.

“Applebloom, I don’t like this...”

“Ah told y’ we ain’t lost!” she said. “Ah know where we art’ to go now.”

“It’s not that…” Alex looked around nervously. “It feels like we’re being wa-”

Suddenly, shadowy creature popped out of the bushes before them. It let out a terrifying squawk as it rose up, flaring up its scaly wings.

“SCREEEEEAAAAAARCK!!!”

Applebloom reared back with a fright, causing Alex to lose his footing and knock his head on the glass. She backed slowly away as a bird-like serpent menacingly approached them, its eyes glowing threateningly red.
Rubbing his head and recovering from the pain, Alex managed to get a glimpse of the creature. It resembled a snake but had the head of a chicken.

“Wha- What is that?” Alex shouted.

“It’s- It’s a Cockatrice!” Applebloom said, trembling.

“A Cock-a-what?”

“A Cockatrice! It's got the body of a snake and tha’ head of a chicken!”

Alex squinted at the creature. “No, that’s a Basilisk.”

“No! It’s a Cockatrice!” Applebloom corrected.

“My knowledge of mythology may be a bit rusty, but I’m pretty sure that’s a Basilisk.”

“It’s not a Basilisk, it’s a Cockatrice! Don’t look at it!” Applebloom shielded her eyes. Alex did the same.

“I know! Looking directly into a Basilisk’s eyes will turn us to ashes!”

“It’ll turn us to stone!”

“Ashes!”

“Stone!”

“ASHES!”

“STONE!”

As they argued, a low flying bat suddenly flew in front of the creature, distracting it. It eyed the bat as it met its gaze. The bat froze in mid-air and landed with a solid thud on the ground, completely petrified. Applebloom and Alex, witnessing it all, stared silently at the creature before it drew its attention back towards them.
Applebloom slowly backed away.

“Applebloom..?”

“Yeah..?”

“It’s a Cockatrice…”

“Told ya…”

“Applebloom..?”

“Yeah..?”

“RUN!!!”

Applebloom vanished in a cloud of dust as the Cockatrice let out its terrifying squawk. They dashed through the woods as fast as they could, plowing their way through bushes and foliage. Having reached quite a distance, they stopped and hid behind a large tree. Applebloom panted heavily, trying to catch her breath. So did Alex (for some reason).

“Did we lose it?” asked Applebloom.

“I think we lost it!” said Alex, looking somewhat relieved.

Just then, they heard the sinister sound of clucking in the tree above them. A leaf suddenly fell on Applebloom’s snout. They looked up, seeing the red glowing eyes of the Cockatrice peering through the leaves and branches. They both let out a terrified shriek as the Cockatrice swooped down towards them.

“SCREEEEEAAAAAARCK!!!”

“AAAAAAAAAAAH!!!”

*****

Having trudged through the forest for quite some time now, Twilight stopped, allowing the fillies to catch up to her as she tried to find her bearings. “I don’t understand…” she said puzzled. “There seems to be something wrong here...”

Scootaloo then turned her attention to the nearest oak. “Is it me or have we passed that tree before?”

“SCREEEEEAAAAAARCK!!!”

“What was that?” cried Sweetie Belle, shaking as the sound reminded her of something terrifyingly familiar.

“AAAAAAAAAAAH!!!”

“THAT’S APPLEBLOOM!!” exclaimed Scootaloo.

“COME ON!” said Twilight and dashed off in the direction of the scream, quickly followed by Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle.

*****

Applebloom and Alex screamed as they galloped through the dark forest, with the Cockatrice in hot pursuit. Applebloom tried to run as fast as her filly legs could carry her. Alex took one quick glance back at the creature as it relentlessly pursued them.

“Hurry! It’s gaining!”

“Ah’m going as fast as Ah’ can!” cried Applebloom. She closed her eyes to avoid looking behind her. Alex soon noticed his ride had no driver and now she was fast approaching a tree.

“Applebloom! To the right!” yelled Alex. Applebloom made a sharp turn to the right, avoiding not just the tree, but the sharp talons of the pouncing Cockatrice as it nearly caught her and collided with the tree. The Cockatrice quickly shook off the painful impact (and the stars around its head) as it snarled and continued pursuit.

Despite their luck, Applebloom and Alex weren’t out of the woods yet. Alex could hear the dreadful squawk of the Cockatrice as it burst through the treebranches, its eyes glowing red with rage.

“Faster, Applebloom! FASTER!” Alex yelled while trying to keep his stomach in order. Her movements made it nearly impossible for him to get a proper footing inside the jar. The chase continued, until the path ahead of them reached its end straight down a cliff. “APPLEBLOOM! STOOOOOOOP!!!”

Applebloom skidded to a halt, stopping just short by the edge. There was no way she could climb down that. “We’re trapped!” wailed Applebloom, just as the Cockatrice caught up and landed behind them. Applebloom shrank down on her haunches, covered her eyes and trembled with fear. “Ah’m gonna be turned into an ornament!” she cried.
Alex clenched his teeth and tightened his fists as the Cockatrice moved closer, its eyes glowing menacingly at them. He covered his eyes. If only he was normal sized and not trapped in a jar…

“There they are!” a familiar voice was heard. It was Scootaloo, with Sweetie Belle and Twilight following close behind.

“Applebloom!” yelled Sweetie Belle.

“Alex!” yelled Twilight.

Applebloom jerked her head towards the sound and tearfully answered back. “Scootaloo! Sweetie Belle! HELP ME!”

“Twilight?” As much as he hated to admit it, Alex was actually happy to see Twilight right now.

“Close your eyes!” yelled Twilight. “Whatever you do, don’t open them. I’ll handle this!” The Cockatrice noticed Twilight and briefly ignored its prey as it snarled and glared at her. Twilight nervously bit her lower lip and gulped. “Somehow…”
She didn’t dare telling them that she was afraid. Her previous encounter with this foul creature almost left her as a new addition to Canterlot’s royal statue garden. While she had learned how to counter such a stare, she couldn’t get too close without the Cockatrice harming both Applebloom and Alex. And with the Cockatrice glaring at her, she couldn’t do much without looking directly at it.

Even though Twilight had told him to close his eyes, Alex carefully glanced passed the Cockatrice at Twilight. He could see the fear in her eyes. Just then, he eyed Scootaloo. He lingered at her for a moment and then remembered something he had read. It was by definition a very, VERY long shot, but time was running out.

“Applebloom! Tell Scootaloo she has to crow!”

“What???”

“Just do it! Trust me on this!”

Applebloom was puzzled by this. She remembered teasing Scootaloo by calling her a chicken before, but this was too much. And even though she was mad at him for lying to her, Alex somehow sounded serious about this. She bit her lower lip and hoped Scootaloo would forgive her for this.

“SCOOTALOO!” Applebloom yelled. “YOU HAVE TO CROW!”

“WHAT?!?”

“CROW! LIKE A ROOSTER!”

Scootaloo fumed. “I’M NOT A CHICKEN APPLEBLOOM!!”

Twilight’s eyes widened. Applebloom was a genius. “Scootaloo! Crow!”

Scootaloo looked at her in surprise. “What? But…”

“JUST DO IT!”

Unable to protest further, Scootaloo took a deep breath and…

“COCK-A-DOODLE-DOO!”

The Cockatrice eyes widened with fright. It turned in the direction of Twilight and the fillies. Scootaloo let out another crow.

“COCK-A-DOODLE-DOO!”

The Cockatrice shook violently as it tried to shield it ears. The horrible sound piercing its head was unbearable. As Scootaloo worked up for another crow, the Cockatrice bolted, flying away as fast as it could until is disappeared into the dark forest.

“It worked!” cheered Sweetie Belle, hugging Scootaloo. “That was amazing, Scootaloo!”

“H- How..?”

“It’s quite simple, really.” Twilight proudly explained. “A Cockatrices’ main weakness is the sound of a rooster crowing.”

Scootaloo just gawked as Twilight cantered towards Applebloom. “I- I’m a rooster..?”

Applebloom raced towards Twilight and embraced her with tears streaming down her cheeks. “Thank ya’ll so much, Twilight! Ah was so scared…”

“There. There. It’s alright now.” Twilight hugged Applebloom. “That was good thinking by the way. How did you know Scootaloo’s crow would work against the Cockatrice?”

Applebloom pulled back from the hug and blushed a bit. “Actually, it was Alex who told me.” She showed her Alex.

“Really?” Twilight leaned closer to get a good look at him, and was relieved that he was okay. She could hardly believe how small he was. Alex looked nervously up at Twilight. She was huge! “Nice to see you again, Alex. You were really hard to find.” She couldn’t help putting on a small victorious grin.

“Applebloom, you’ll never guess what!” Sweetie Belle suddenly exclaimed. “Alex is a HUMAN!”

“A’ WHAT???” She turned and looked at him with disbelief. “Ya’ mean… Yer not a ‘Leppycarn’?”

“Leprechaun…” Sweetie Belle said bluntly.

“Then... All that thar talk about them gold Bits, was a lie too?!?” Alex gulped and laughed nervously.

“Ehehe… Sorry..?”

“SORRY!?” Applebloom yelled at him. “We almost became statues over nothing!!!” Infuriated, she undid her strap and threw him off her. Alex was almost about to hit the ground until the jar was seized by Twilight’s magic. “Ya good fer nothin’ liar! Ya'll shoulda been turned to stone an’ left in tha’ forest!”

“APPLEBLOOM!” Twilight scolded her. She understood Applebloom was angry, but that was going a bit too far. She looked at Alex and saw how ashamed he looked. “Sigh! Look, I’m sure Alex is very sorry about all this. But now that we are all safe, we can all go back and…”

“SCREEEEEAAAAAARCK!!!”

A terrifying squawk filled the air and they all looked up in fright. The Cockatrice had returned! It swooped down with tremendous speed…

“LOOK OUT!!”

YOINK!

…and snagged the jar with Alex still inside. The ponies watched with horror as it flew away and hovered above the cliff.

“ALEX!!” yelled both Twilight and crusaders. Acting on instinct, Twilight shot several beams of magic at the Cockatrice, hoping to stop it from carrying Alex away.

PEW! PEW!

“TWILIGHT! HELP ME!” Alex hammered frantically at the glass. The cockatrice then suddenly glared down at its catch and Alex froze as he met its eyes. Everything suddenly went black. “AH-*”

“NO!”

The ponies cried with horror as Alex was turned to stone right before them. Suddenly Twilight’s fear of the Cockatrice completely vanished and her determination to save Alex grew. Fueled by anger, she quickly powered up to cast a powerful spell at the flying monster, when three very angry fillies suddenly stepped in front of her and…

“COCK-A-DOODLE-DOO!”

The sound painfully pierced the Cockatrices’ ears, causing it to let go of Alex. This was the last straw. With an ear-piercing headache, the Cockatrice finally retreated and disappeared into the dark forest for good.
The ponies gasped as the jar plummeted to earth. Twilight tried to get a lock but she was still in shock and watched helplessly as it disappeared in the forest below beneath the branches of the trees. There was a faint sound of shattered glass.

CRASH!

“NO!” Twilight cried. She bolted off to find a safer way down the cliff. The Cutie Mark Crusaders watched her gallop away before Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle eventually followed suit. All except for Applebloom who didn’t take her eyes off the spot where Alex had fallen, her tear-filled eyes trembling with regret.

“Ah… Ah know what Ah’ said… But Ah didn’t mean…”

“Come on!” yelled Scootaloo as she ran back and pushed her along after Twilight.

*****

Deep in the forest below, a lone hooded figure was gathering herbs when the sound of shattering glass suddenly echoed through the forest. Curious, the figure followed the source of the noise and found the remains of a glass jar. The figure then saw a small figure on the ground with the look of fear in his eyes.

If Alex could think, he would come up with something very funny to describe the situation he was in. In many ways, one would consider him lucky. If he hadn’t met the eyes of the Cockatrice, the fall and the shards of glass would have injured him greatly. The jar had fallen on a rock and basically exploded on impact. Fortunately, Alex missed the rock and was instead thrown into the air before landing and digging his legs into the soft ground.
He looked like a hood ornament. A very FRIGHTENED hood ornament…

The hooded figure stepped up from the shadows before him, reached out its hoof and scooped him up.

“What is this that fell from the trees? A victim of the Cockatrice?"

Chapter 11: Rhyme or Reason

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Chapter 11: Rhyme or Reason

“Wha- What happened..?”

Alex moaned as he started to regain consciousness. He had a hard time opening his eyes as he was bombarded with intense light. Luckily it gradually softened the more he blinked and tried to focus.
He was lying on something flat that felt like wood. He felt painfully stiff, as if he hadn’t moved in ages, along with a splitting head-ache. “My head… Where am I..?”

He blinked several more times before finally regaining his focus. Slowly he pulled himself back on his feet, joints cracking painfully as he moved. He wobbled and staggered around for a bit before eventually finding his balance.

“What happened? “How did I get here? There was that Cockatrice and…” Alex muttered before he finally remembered what happened. “Wait a minute! The Cockatrice! Applebloom! Twilight! Girls! Where-?” He looked around for them, but discovered he was not in the forest anymore. He also realized he wasn’t trapped in a jar. He seemed to be in some kind of hut.
“Girls..?” Alex was worried. He remembered being snagged and carried away by the Cockatrice, but he didn’t remember anything that happened after that. He did imagine hearing the faint sound of a rooster, but he wasn’t quite sure...

He then looked at his new surroundings. He noticed the hut was a hollowed out tree, with scary looking tribal masks decorating the walls that seemed to echo with sounds of drums and howls of hostile natives from a jungle continent not that unfamiliar to him. A dream catcher hung on the door. Various bottles and exotic trinkets hung from the roof. On the shelves were all manner of books and in others were bottles, bowls, pottery filled with various herbs and potions. There was a bed in one corner and a large cauldron boiling over a small fire in the middle of the room. It made him feel uneasy for some reason.

‘What? Whose place is this? Wait! The weird decorations! The bottles of potions! The boiling cauldron!’ He quickly put the pieces together.

“This is the house of a PONY WITCH!”

He held his mouth shut as he realized he had been using his outside-voice. He nervously looked around for any signs of this ‘Pony Witch’ until realizing that was he utterly alone. While it did fill him with some relief, he knew it was only a matter of time before the ‘Pony Witch’ returned. Alex quickly climbed off the table and headed for the door.

“I don’t know how I got here or who lives here, but I’m getting the heck out!” Reaching the door, he discovered he was just small enough to fit through the crack. He dropped down and crawled under it. “I’ll take my chances out there!”

ROAR!

Alex quickly crawled back and ran away from the door. “On second thought… NO I’M NOT!!!”

Alex had forgotten he was still in the Everfree Forest. If an orchard was hazardous to a guy his current size, a forest filled with mythological monsters was definitively no walk in the park. He was trapped.
‘This is bad…’ Alex thought to himself. ‘Trapped inside a Pony Witch’s hut in possibly the most dangerous forest ever and no sign of Twilight or the Crusaders. I wonder if they’re alright..?’

CRACK!

He suddenly heard a noise coming from outside. He quickly made his way to the window just above the bed, climbed it and peered out into the dark forest that was now covered in lightly dense fog. A dark, pony-shaped figure was moving out of the fog towards the hut, all hooded and cloaked.
As it got closer, Alex could just barely glimpse something that looked like a face beneath the dark hood. He finally got a good look as the figure raised its head.

Alex turned away and held his mouth as he mentally cried in revulsion. ‘I… I can’t…!’ He pulled himself away from the window, trying to shake off that ghastly visage. ‘That face… It’s HORRIBLE!’
He then eyed the boiling cauldron and gulped. Maybe this ‘Pony Witch’ had ‘saved’ him so that he could be the next ingredient for some insidious brew?

He bolted from the window, bounced off the bed and headed for the nearest shelf. Quickly scaling it with the help of a stool, he hid behind one of bottles just as the door opened.

Quiet as a mouse, he watched as the hooded Pony Witch cantered inside. He could tell that the Pony Witch was a mare as she seemed to be mumbling a strange language. She cantered toward the table and let out a gasp as she stared at the spot on the table where Alex had laid just moments ago. Excited, she muttered something in her strange language and began to search the hut. Alex ducked behind the bottles just as the Pony Witch turned in his direction.
‘I have to get out of here! I’m done for if she finds me!’ He heard the Pony Witch rummaging through her belongings and saw her looking through cupboards and pottery. Alex could barely look at those black, soulless eyes.

The Pony Witch now began searching the shelves. It wouldn’t be long before she reached the one he was hiding in. He quickly climbed one of the bottles, forced its cork open with little noise as possible and quickly jumped inside, sealing it up in the process just as the Pony Witch made her approach. Covering his mouth and nose so to not make a sound, he found he was knee deep in some kind of green powder. He felt the bottle move as the witch was searching the shelf for him. He held his breath until the bottle finally stopped shaking and he heard her canter away.

Realizing she had started her search elsewhere, Alex removed his hand and sighed with relief, inadvertently breathing in the powder that tickled his nose. ‘Oh no!’ He tried to suppress it, but he couldn’t.

“ACHOO!”

POFF!

The cork shot out of the bottle, followed by an eruption of green smoke that seemed to manifest itself into several small ponies that galloped around the room before dissipating into nothing. The attention stopped the Pony Witch dead in her tracks and she eyed the bottle with the green illusion powder.

Alex covered his mouth and silently prayed she hadn’t seen or heard that. Just then he felt the bottle move and he saw with horror the silhouette of a ghastly face staring into the bottle and right at him.

*SHRIEK!*

POFF!

Alex screamed so loud he caused the green powder to erupt from the bottle right in the Pony Witch's face, causing her to drop the bottle and sending Alex rolling away across floor.

Momentarily caught in a coughing fit, the Pony Witch accidently tripped backwards against several shelves stacked with bottles and urns filled with medicinal herbs, liquids and potions, sending them all crashing down onto the floor.

CRASH!

Once she finally stopped coughing, she beheld the mess and exclaimed with a mixture of both annoyance and anger.
Searching through the mess, she soon discovered that the bottle containing Alex had rolled underneath the table, coming to a complete stop as it hit one of the legs.

Alex pulled himself out of the bottle, staggered dizzily around for a bit and nearly hurled as he tried to stop the room from spinning. Suddenly the table was flipped aside and he found himself face to face with the Pony Witch.
Overcome with indescribable fear, he tripped and fell helpless before the monstrous behemoth as she stared down at him with her cold, lifeless eyes. He braced himself and was ready to meet his Maker.

“Goodness! That was quite a fright! Thank Celestia you’re alright!”

Then he fainted.

THUMP!

*****

Close by, Twilight and the Cutie Mark Crusaders had finally made it down the cliff. They arrived at the location where the jar had landed.

“This is the place! Spread out girls! He must be here somewhere!” said Twilight, her voice nearly trembling as she assumed the worst. The fillies didn’t need to be told twice. They all searched high and low for Alex. “Find anything?”

“No, sorry...”said Applebloom sadly.

“ALEX? AAAALEEEEEX!” yelled Sweetie Belle.

“What are you doing?” asked Scootaloo bewildered. “He’s turned to stone! How is he going to answer?”

There was a moment of awkward silence until Sweetie Belle finally realized and her ears dropped. “Oh yeah…”

“TWILIGHT! GIRLS! AH FOUND SOMETHIN’!” Applebloom cried out. Twilight was the first to react and raced past Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo.

“Did you find him? Did you find Alex?” asked Twilight with a hopeful look in her eyes. That hope quickly faded when Applebloom showed her what she had found. Twilight gasped. She held in her hooves a piece of broken glass. Looking on the ground behind her Twilight saw more glass shards littering the area. Her heart sank as she imagined the worst possible scenario. She carefully trotted over the shards. Eyeing one of the pieces, she levitated it up to her eyelevel, tears welling up. There was no mistake.

“Twilight? What is it?” asked Scootaloo. The three fillies moved closer to the piece Twilight was looking at. It was a lid. They had found the glass jar.

“But… Where’s Alex?” asked Sweetie Belle trembling.

The ponies then eyed all the gravel and small pieces of rocks that lay scattered on the ground. If Alex was there, it was difficult to recognize him now. The fillies started to tear up as realization hit them. Applebloom had it worse.

“Ah… Ah didn’t mean it!” she wailed. “Ah- Ah didn’t want this! Ah mean he lied but… Ah didn’t mean for him to…” overcome with guilt, she sobbed until she felt Twilight foreleg pull her into a hug.

“It’s okay Applebloom… It’s okay…” Twilight was crying herself. She never thought this could happen. She didn’t care for the Hoofbel anymore. She just wished she could’ve…

“HEY! Over here! I found something!” They all drew their attention to Scootaloo who spotted something on the ground. They all quickly cantered over and looked. There were hoofprints on the ground. The hoofprints of a pony… No. The hoofprints of a zebra!

“Those must belong to Zecora!” exclaimed Sweetie Belle.

Twilight suddenly had a glimmer of hope in her eyes. If Zecora was here, that could mean she found Alex. The only real question now was whether or not Alex was still in one piece. But if there was one thing she knew about Zecora, is that she seemed to have a remedy for almost anything.
She knew this was a long shot, but right now she had two choices and the first was giving up and accept that he was gone. If there was a slight bit of chance that he was alright, Twilight had to make sure.

“Come on! Let’s follow them!” said Twilight as she led the way with the Crusaders close behind. ‘Oh please Alex! Please be in one piece! Please!’

*****

Alex slowly regained his consciousness as his nose tickled with the smell of sweet frankincense in the air. He felt strangely calm and relaxed, almost as if was waking up from a really bad dream. He rubbed his eyes as he slowly sat up, trying to remember what happened.

“Long I was worried your recovery would take. I’m glad to see you’re finally awake.”

Alex’s eyes shot wide open and he beheld the hooded monstrosity in front of him. Now he remembered!

*SHRIEK!*

Alex let out a bloodcurdling cry. The Pony Witch backed away from table and shielded her ears. “Calm yourself before my vials shatter! Whatever in Equestria is the matter?!”

“Please!” Alex begged. “Don’t hurt me!”

“By the Great Celestial Sheik! Did I just hear you speak?!” she exclaimed. She suddenly moved closer, which frightened Alex even more.

“Please stay away! I don’t want to be boiled!”

“What are these hurtful things you say? Why do you fear me in such a way?” She tried reaching out to him. Alex whimpered and recoiled, causing her to seize her advance and pull back. “Please dry those tears you’re spillin’ and tell me why you see me a heartless villain.”

Alex dried his eyes but still trembled, now confused by the sound of her gentle voice despite her ferocious appearance.

“It wasn’t supposed to end this way! I only wanted to find Zecora!”

The confused witch blinked. “If it’s Zecora you wish to see, then look no further for she is me!” she smiled, although Alex couldn’t really tell.

Alex just stared at this monstrous figure before him. How was she able to speak like that without moving her lips? “I’m sorry but… Zecora is a zebra and… and you don’t look anything like a zebra… ”

“What do you mean? A zebra I have always be-” she suddenly stopped talking and felt her face just before she facehoofed and groaned. “No wonder you’re upset! How could I carelessly forget?”

Alex watched with confusion as she pulled back her hood. She then removed her cloak and Alex could now see she had a grey coat with dark stripes. She reached behind her head and removed the mask he just now could see she was wearing.

“In all the excitement, I forgot what I was wearing. Now do you see? I’m not cruel but caring!” Zecora smiled warmly as Alex finally calmed down.

Alex stopped shaking and stared at the unmasked zebra before him. She was sporting a Mohawk and was decorated with gold rings around her neck and left leg. There were rings on her ears and she had a cutie mark that was different from the others. It was a spiraled circle that kinda resembled the sun.
He breathed with great relief. “I was so worried… Forgive me, I thought you were a witch.” he laughed, realizing how silly he had been acting. He should’ve guessed it was an outfit, but he had let his imagination run away with him. “But… Why were you wearing that?”

Zecora glanced down at her outfit and giggled. “For suffering such an emotional strain, listen and I shall explain…”

~***~

*TOLD IN STORYBOOK FASHION*

‘To help and heal ponies is my call you see, and I do so with happiness and glee.’

Zecora was happily mortaring some herbs when her door began knocking. A stallion with a runny nose and an icepack on his head had come seeking her aid. Coughing, he silently pleaded for her help. Zecora smiled as she knew what to do.
She served a fresh batch of medicine to the sick stallion, who instantly felt better after drinking it and gave her a hug.

‘But in time my supplies run dry, and often far I must venture to resupply.’

Zecora discovers that most of her bowls and bottles are empty. Rubbing her chin and looking out her window, she realizes she has no choice. She equips herself with a saddlebag and trots outside carrying a basket.

‘But hungry beasts this forest shelter, so it’s not long before I helter-skelter.’

She trots calmly into the woods when suddenly she hears a roar and is quickly chased back to her hut by dark beasts and creatures of various sizes. She quickly gallops back inside and shuts the door with her back against it while panting. She glances out her window to see her hut surrounded.

‘To harvest my herbs in peace, their attacks I had to cease.’

Thinking about a solution to her problem, she suddenly eyes one of her masks on the wall and gets an idea.

‘So I chose my favorite mask, and prayed it would do the task.’

The beasts stand ready to pounce as her door slowly opens. Suddenly they cower in fear and quickly run away as Zecora canters outside with her new disguise. With her problem solved, she happily braves the forest without fearing any danger.

‘Cause if a scary monster they see, then alone they let me be.’

~***~

Alex blinked. ‘The scariest mask is her favorite?’ Her explanation however seemed to make sense. Her disguise worked as form of protection against anything that could see her as a possible meal ticket. If she looked more menacing and threatening than anything else in the forest, they wouldn’t dare attack her.

“So while my lotion cured your stiffness, I was away on ‘nature business’.” Alex was about ask what kind of ‘business’ she was referring to, but quickly decided against it as it sounded too personal.

“Wait… Stiffness..? You mean… I was stone? The Cockatrice really turned me to stone?!”

Zecora nodded. “A Cockatrice curse of stone is hard to brake, but with my ‘Motion Lotion’ it was easy as cake.”

“Motion Lotion?”

“It’s my latest brand of magical herbal lotion. It clears away stiffness AND puts you back in motion.” She giggled. She sounded like an ad campaign.

“Do you always speak in rhyme? Can’t imagine me doing that all the time…” Alex was quiet for a moment before he facepalmed.

“I’ve encountered many creatures in the great Everfree. But you are indeed the strangest one I have ever come to see.”

“My name is Alex. I’m not from around here. I am a human from Earth.” He then sighed, earning a confused and worried glance by Zecora. “I’m sorry… It’s been a rough day for me. And I’m not just talking about a Cockatrice’s turning me to stone- which by the way; thank you ever so much for saving me!”

Zecora smiled.

“I’ve been through the worst day ever!” he continued. “I’ve been chased, bucked, shocked, dropped, locked up and even shrunk.” Zecora suddenly looked a bit surprised. “So yes… As you can tell, I’m not supposed to look like this…” He told her about the Poison Joke.

“Please do share me your tale. I would love to hear every detail.” Zecora listened as he gave her the short version of the story.

*****

Having followed Zecora’s hoofprints, Twilight and the Crusaders could finally glimpse the light of Zecora’s hut through the fog.

“Finally!” Twilight breathed with relief. “That took forever…”

“We would’ve gotten here faster if only you’d gone before we left.” Scootaloo narrowed her eyes at Sweetie Belle.

“But I really had to go!” whined Sweetie Belle.

“Come on!” yelled a determined Applebloom and lead the way with her friends and Twilight following close behind.

*****

“…and that’s pretty much what’s been happening to me.” Alex finished with a tired sigh.

Zecora had been silently listening to his story and now just sat there with a deadpanned look.

“Zecora?”

Suddenly, she started to snicker. That snicker evolved into a giggle. That giggle became a laugh and soon she roared with laughter. “I’m sorry, But you really made my laughter bubble! You poor thing, you’ve really been through quite the trouble!” She laughed so hard she nearly fell over. “Celestia’s strides! I’m splitting my sides!”

Alex didn’t really find it all THAT funny.

Having finished laughing, Zecora finally composed herself, dried her tears and gave him a reassuring smile. “I may not be able to cure your cosmic misplacement, but I will relieve you of this herbal amusement.”

“Really? Thank you!”

“Alas, your patience it seems must be stronger, as you’ll have to remain small just a wee bit longer.”

Alex’s hopes dashed. “What? Why?” She gestured him towards the shards of broken bottles and spilled potions on the floor.

“Those bottles are what I needed for this remedy. Key ingredients they were for this flower’s trickery...”

Alex mentally groaned. He wanted to be big NOW!

“Don’t you fret little one. An hour I reckon it shall be done.”

“An hour..?” It didn’t sound too bad...

KNOCK! KNOCK!

“Zecora? Zecora, are you home?”

Zecora’s ears perked as she heard the familiar voice at the door. Alex heard it too and sprung up.

‘TWILIGHT?!’

He was relieved that she was okay, along with possibly the Crusaders as well. But now he mentally cringed as he realized he was about to be caught yet again.
He then noticed Zecora trotting over to open the door.

“Zecora! Wait-”

*****

“Do ya really think Alex is here, Twilight?” asked Applebloom as Twilight finished knocking on Zecora’s door.

“I don’t know, Applebloom. But it’s worth a shot…” Twilight said with a small sense of hope in voice. After a waiting a moment, Zecora finally answered the door.

“Twilight Sparkle! What a surprise! I expected you sometime after sunrise. And Applebloom and friends! What brings you all to these forest ends?” Looking more closely, she saw the worried looks on their faces.

“Zecora…” Twilight began. “I’m really sorry for coming so late. But we have an emergen-”

“Is Alex here?” Applebloom budded in, pushing herself in front of Twilight.

“We’re looking for him!” added Scootaloo, who joined in followed by Sweetie Belle.

“To earn our cutie marks!” Everyone, including Twilight, frowned at Sweetie Belle. “What? We are! Oh! And to see if he’s safe! Squee!”

Twilight rolled her eyes and sighed. “It’s like this Zecora, we’re looking for…”

“A human with no hooves nor tail but hands, feet, fingers and nail. No mane and snout and screams with a girlish shout?”

“Y-Yes!” She suddenly grabbed Zecora’s shoulders with her forelegs and shook her. “Is he still here? Is he safe? Is he still in one-?”

Zecora smiled and politely pushed Twilight’s forelegs off her. “Yes Twilight, young little Alex is safe and un-petrified. He’s resting peacefully and satis-” before Zecora could finish, Twilight and the Crusaders had pushed themselves passed her and bolted towards the table.

“ALEX!!!”

“-fied..?” Zecora finished and shook her head after she finally stopped spinning.

They all galloped up to the table, only to find there was no ‘Alex’ on it.

“But… Where is he?” asked Twilight confused.

“He’s not here…” said Scootaloo as she jumped on the table.

Sweetie Belle looked under the table. “Not here either.”

“Zecora?” Applebloom quietly asked as Zecora joined them. Zecora rubbed her chin and wondered as well.

“Flown the coup he appears I reckon. Strange, he was only here just a second…”

Twilight was about to question Zecora before she caught a movement in the corner of her eye. A flipped over cup was slowly moving across the floor. Curious, Twilight slowly stepped over to it and lifted it with magic.

Alex, trying to sneak himself passed Twilight and the Crusaders, suddenly realized his cover had disappeared. He looked up and saw Twilight staring at him with an unreadable look.

“Ehehe… Hi?”

Twilight’s face brightened and her eyes welled up with joy. “ALEX!”

‘Oh no…’ Alex watched helplessly as Twilight used her magic and levitated him off the floor, bringing him close to her face.

“Alex! I can’t believe…” Twilight cried. “Sniff! I’m so relived you’re…”

“ALEX!” Applebloom suddenly dove towards Alex and grabbed him in mid-air. She landed on the floor and skidded to a stop as she hugged him. “ALEX! Ah’m SO sorry! Ah’m so glad yer alright!” She cried while nuzzling him. “Ah thought ya were… We all thought ya were…”

“It’s okay Applebloom!” Alex replied, fighting Applebloom’s hug as she was nearly crushing him. “I’m alright! I’m sorry for tricking you before…” Applebloom released him from her hug and dried her tears.

“It’s alright… Sniff! Ah know why ya did it, and Ah forgive ya if ya’ll forgive me fer sayin’ those bad things to ya.”

“I forgive you Applebloom…” Alex couldn’t help but hug Applebloom back. He then felt Twilight’s magic again and was lifted up in the air towards her.

“ALEX IS OKAY! ALEX IS OKAY! YAY!” cheered Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo as they jumped and skipped around them.

“You really had us worried, Alex. But you’re safe now and so is my Hoof- I mean, that is…” She pursed her lips. “You’re safe. Squee!” Twilight simply said as she smiled nervously. Alex crossed his arms and frowned. Twilight sure was worried about him alright.
“Thank you so much for saving him Zecora! You can’t imagine how relieved we are. I’m sorry if he caused you any trouble.”

“It has only been a pleasure. No trouble of any nature.” Zecora smiled. “It warms my heart to see you all so cheerful. I’ll admit this whole thing has made me warm and tearful.”

“Then if there are no more concerns, I guess we’ll just take him back to Ponyville now. I think he’s had quite enough excitement for one day.” Twilight smiled.

“WHAT?!? Zecora no! She’s gonna-!” Alex’s screams of protests were quickly muffled as Twilight out of shear panic quickly levitated a bottle she found on the floor and immediately sealed him inside with a cork.

Her little action made Zecora curious and she now looked questionably at her with a frown. Alex’s muffled screams inside the bottle intensified and faint knocking could be heard. Twilight’s eyes nervously darted back and forth between the bottle and Zecora. “Ehehe… He’s… He’s thrilled to go back with me. Squee!”

Zecora just stared at her, tilting her head to the side with a look of suspicion and disapprovement in her eyes. Twilight nervously eyed the bottle again. “Um… It’s protection, against the creatures of the forest. Wouldn’t want him to get caught and wind up in some monsters’ belly, right?” she laughed as she playfully nudged her. Zecora just silently stared at her. “I swear Zecora, I’m not-!” Zecora suddenly raised her hoof and Twilight went silent. She then lowered it and spoke.

“While in my care, Alex told me quite an interesting tale,” Twilight gulped “…most about a persistent mare with powers that made him pale.” Twilight recalled when she first met Alex. She mentally scolded herself, admitting that meeting could’ve gone better.
“He then told me of meeting a friend in darkness that made his hope rise, only to find that hope was filled with lies.” Twilight’s human form! It haunted her mind as she remembered how she used it to trick him. She hung her head low. She had never felt this bad before.
Zecora then suddenly seemed to smile a bit. “But he also told me of a brave unicorn risking all to face great danger, risking life against a monster to save a filly and her tiny passenger.” Twilight’s ears suddenly perked. She raised her head and was utterly surprised by this.
“You are a good friend with both magic and charm. I know you too well to believe you would do any creature harm.” Twilight breathed a sigh of relief. “And while I do trust that your intentions are pure, it is Alex’s trust that you need to ensure.”

“And I will!” said Twilight. “Believe me! Once all this is over, I’m going to make this right. I Pinkie swear!”

Zecora smiled some more. She then heard more knocking coming from the bottle. “While I’m sure Alex disapproves, I know he’s in good hooves. But finished with him I am not, as he is still in such a binding knot.”

“Yes, the Poison Joke.” Twilight agreed. Getting Alex to his old self was top priority. “You’re right, Zecora. Just give me the antidote and I’ll restore him once I get him back to Ponyville.”

Zecora shook her head. “Alas, his current state he is stuck, as I’m currently out of stock.” She showed her the broken bottles and Twilight seemed to understand what she meant. “Time I need to harvest the cure. Come back in an hour, it’ll be ready for sure.”

"An hour?" Twilight wanted to get Alex back to Ponyville NOW! She didn’t like the idea of going back through the forest again, but it appeared she didn’t have much choice. “Very well Zecora. I’ll just take Alex back home and keep him safe there while I return back here for the antidote.”

“Are you certain little Alex will remain in your care? He did tell me you were not the only mare.”

Twilight laughed. “Believe me Zecora. My friends may be out there searching, but they don’t know I already have him. Hay, they don’t even know I’m here.” As Twilight said that, Zecora suddenly seemed to notice something quickly duck down outside the window behind her. It was too fast for her to reckognize, but she did notice the color...

“Hm...” Instead of saying anything about it to Twilight, Zecora just smiled and silently chuckled. “While I am aware of the Ponyville sillies, I was actually referring to three little fillies…”

Twilight stopped laughing. Realization hit her as she saw the Cutie Mark Crusader standing behind her, waiting impatiently with the look of hope in their eyes. Looking at the bottle in her possession, she knew what they were thinking. She pondered for a moment on what to do before she noticed something on the shelf next to her. She then had an idea and levitated something from the floor.

“Zecora, can I borrow this?”

*****

After a while, the four ponies finally exited the forest. It was refreshing to finally see the sun again.

“Good to be out of there…” Twilight sighed with relief, trying to ignore the fact that she was going to have to venture in there again later.

“That was really exciting.” said Scootaloo. “Probably worth a cutie mark!”

“Ya mean like, a ‘Human Rescuer’ cutie mark?” asked Applebloom. The fillies eyes gleamed.

“CUTIE MARK CRUSADERS: HUMAN RESCUERS! YAY!”

Twilight nearly dropped the bottle as she grimaced and rubbed her ear. “Girls…”

The Crusaders lined up and looked at their flanks with excitement, only for nothing to happen.

“Aww…” Sweeite Belle groaned.

“Cheer up, Crusaders!” yelled Scootaloo. “Our mission to earn our Human Expert cutie marks is still on!”

“YAY!” cheered Sweetie Belle and Applebloom. The three fillies then rushed up in front of Twilight and formed a line side by side, smiling with expectation. Twilight was silent for a moment before realizing what they were waiting for.

“Now? But girls, wouldn’t it be wiser to have him stay with me until Zecora’s finished with the antidote?”

“Eenope!” answered Applebloom.

“He’s our human, Twilight! Besides, you said you’d help!” said Scootaloo.

“A deal is a deal!” said Sweetie Belle.

Twilight rolled her eyes but smiled. “You’re right girls. A deal is a deal.” She levitated the bottle over to them and placed on Applebloom’s head. “Just don’t open the bottle until I come back with the antidote or else he might escape.”

Applebloom gently shook the bottle, and heard noises coming from inside. “He’s ‘n there alright!”

“Then let’s go!” yelled Scootaloo.

“CUTIE MARK CRUSADERS: HUMAN EXPERTS! YAY!”

With the bottle perfectly balanced on her head, Applebloom quickly jumped into the trolley with Sweetie Belle as Scootaloo pulled them towards their clubhouse, their cheers echoing as they disappeared from view.

When they were finally far enough away, Twilight lit her horn and another bottle identical to the first suddenly materialized. “A deal is a deal…” She smiled slyly, gently shaking the bottle as muffled yelling emitted from the inside.
“…But NOT a ‘Pinkie Promise’.” She giggled as she trotted away, unaware at that moment a shadow popped out of a nearby bush and quietly followed her.

*****

It didn’t take Twilight long to reach the library. While she hated herself for having fooled the Crusaders, she convinced herself the Hoofbel was far more important. She looked around for any sign of her friends, rushed inside and locked the door. She didn’t notice two bright blue eyes watching her from the bush next to her door.

“Spike? Spike, are you in here?”

“Hey Twilight…” Spike called from upstairs.

“Oh good… Hurry down here Spike! I have him!” She placed the bottle with Alex on her desk. Spike waddled down the stairs. “Spike you won’t believe the ordeal I’ve been through. I’ve just been to the Everfree Forest and…” Twilight was surprised to see him. “What happened to you?”

Spike was covered in sticky syrup and chicken feathers. “Applejack…” he moodily said, spitting out a feather.

Fighting the urge to laugh, Twilight coughed and composed herself. “I see… Well anyway, we now have Alex back, safe and sound.” She pointed at the wobbling bottle. “Now all we need is the antidote from Zecora, so we need to get going.”

“That’s great Twilight!” cheered Spike. “I’m sure glad it’s almost over and- Wait… Go? Go where?”

“Back to Zecora of course, and you’re coming with me.”

“WHAT?” Spike couldn’t believe his ears. “You just came back from the Everfree Forest, and now you’re going back again?”

“The antidote wasn’t ready yet.” Twilight unlocked the door and trotted outside.

“But why go back? Can’t we just go and ask for some from the Spa Ponies?”

“I already tried that on the way here but they were all out. Everything they had in stock had been used for some kind of emergency...”

Spike didn’t like the idea of being dragged into the forest again. He then looked at the bottle with slight concern. “Are we just gonna leave him like that?”

“Relax Spike.” Twilight smiled reassuringly. “He may be sealed in, but it’s not airtight. I’ve made sure he won’t suffocate.”

“But do I really have to go? Can’t I just stay here and keep an eye on him?”

“Even if he somehow manages to escape, I believe he would much rather stay here and wait for us than wander around Ponyville in that condition.” Twilight then levitated Spike and placed him on her back. “Besides, there is nothing to fear from the forest now, now that I have my latest Cockatrice repellent. How’s your crowing?”

“My ‘what’ now…?”

SLAM! CLICK!

To make certain no pony entered the library during her absence, Twilight made sure to lock the door. Once done, she and Spike quickly left for the Everfree Forest.
As soon as they were gone, Pinkie Pie popped out of the bush. She stuck out her tongue as she pressed her eye against the keyhole and eyed the bottle as it wobbled and jumped around on the desk.

“Target located… Giggle-Snort!”

Pulling her eye out of the keyhole, she rummaged through her mane and pulled out a hairpin. Giggling, she went to work on the lock. She nearly worked her hoof off before she finally managed to unlock door.

CLICK!

“Yes!”

Before she could barge in however, a shadow suddenly passed over her and she quickly leaped back into the bush as a familiar cyan pegasus made her descent towards the library…

Author's Notes:

All I can say is; RYHMING IS BITCH!

I'll admit that this is probably not my best chapter. This was really hard to write and it went through a lot of re-writes before I finally settled on one that I liked.
And then there was the ryhming. AND THEN THERE WAS THE RYHMING!!!

I eventually settled for Zecora to be the only one not interested in Alex. Still, while I wanted her to be understanding of Alex's troubles, I also wanted her to remain neutral.

While she doesn't take too kindly too the ponies' treatment of him, she knows deep down they would never intentionally hurt him and thus trusts that Twilight will keep her promise should she succeed.

In the next chapter, Rainbow Dash makes her return. Will Alex remain in the bottle long enough to survive this second encounter, and will the library survive if he doesn't? And what of Pinkie Pie? Will she get in on the action?

Find out next time!

Chapter 12: Dash and Lexy

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Chapter 12: Dash & Lexy

Rainbow Dash was descending towards the Golden Oaks Library. After having received a harsh scolding by Twilight over the whole 'Alex' fiasco some while ago, she had been rather hesitant to visit her.
Thinking that Twilight was probably in a forgiving mood now, she decided to at last pay her a visit to apologize and make up.

*****

Inside the library, the bottle containing Alex was still wobbling and hopping around the desk. Loud but muffled noises emitted from the inside as if something violent was happening.
Poor Alex was really in trouble now. After all his efforts that had resulted in lying, kidnapping, petrification and nearly being scared to death, he was once again trapped by Twilight. Worse still, he failed to acquire the antidote.

Ever since his journey back from the forest, Alex had tried and tried in vain to escape his new confinement. But no matter how much he tried, he still couldn't quite...

POP!

“ACHOO!!!”

The cork suddenly flew into the air and a large puff of green smoke erupted as Alex let out the biggest sneeze he ever had. The smoke took the form of various creatures before quickly dispersing into nothing. Exhausted for having been sneezing his head off, Alex slowly pulled himself out of the bottle. Once out, Alex shook off the remains of the illusion powder that covered his clothes.

“Achoo!” He cleaned the powder off his nose and groaned. “Pant! Out of all the bottles, she had to trap me in THAT ONE... Pant!”

Still, Alex couldn't complain too much. He was free again. The only hiccup now was that he was back in Twilight's library. Looking around, Alex quickly found that he was alone and could only assume that Twilight and Spike had gone to fetch the antidote at Zecora’s .

Alex sighed. Still small and pretty much out of luck, his only chance to ever get back to normal size would be to wait for Twilight to return and somehow get the antidote away from her without being captured again. Alex wondered how he was ever going to pull that one off.
He did contemplate on just leaving the library and take his chances outside. But as soon as he saw through the windows the ponies walking about, that idea quickly plummeted. One wrong step and he'd quickly find himself beneath the hoof of some ignorant pony. Or worse, one of them could accidently sit on him. His biggest concern was that he would be spotted by the other ponies that were outside somewhere looking for him.
Seeing no other choice in it, he sat down and decided there was nothing else to do but wait until...

DING! DING!

Alex jumped and his ears perked at the sound of a bell ringing as the front door was opened. He quickly hid behind the bottle and watched silently with suppressed horror as a familiar cyan pegasus flew in.

'RAINBOW DASH!?!'

"Twilight? Twilight, are you in here?" Rainbow Dash looked around, waiting for any response from Twilight. "Spike? You in here little guy?" Hearing nothing but silence, Rainbow shrugged. "Guess she must be out still looking for that 'Lexy' guy. Oh well, maybe I'll come by later..."

Alex watched as she turned to leave the library. He wiped his forehead and drew a sigh of relief. That was too close…

“Or...” Rainbow suddenly stopped and turned around with a wry smile. “...While I'm here, I might just check out the latest addition of Daring Do.” Alex quietly facepalmed as he cursed his lousy luck. Rainbow closed the door and flew over to the nearest bookcase. "Now let's see. Where was it now..?"

Still hiding behind the bottle, Alex knew he had to get out before Rainbow Dash saw him. Whatever happened outside, it was nothing compared to what she would do to him once she found him. Fortunately for him, she seemed to be preoccupied with searching for that 'Dare-something' book to even realize that he was in the library with her. With any luck he could climb down the desk and make it out the window that was close to the front door. As he was about to make his move, the desk suddenly shook with tremendous force as Rainbow slammed the book down on it.

SLAM!

“Here it is!” Rainbow beamed. “Daring Do and the Impossible Gremlin!” Pulling a chair over, Rainbow made herself comfortable as she dove into reading the book. “Twilight won't mind if I read while I wait for her. This is going to be so awesome!”

Watching Rainbow reading from behind the bottle, Alex knew he had to make his move now. He had to get off the desk somehow without her noticing. He cast a quick glance and saw that Rainbow was deeply focused on the book, probably too deep to notice what was happening around her. Taking a chance, Alex grabbed on to the bottle and slowly moved sideways across towards the edge while keeping himself out of sight, making short stops to be certain Rainbow hadn't noticed him.

While she was reading, Rainbow's ears suddenly twitched and she found herself looking at the bottle for some reason. Seeing nothing special about it, she continued her reading. She then heard the noise again and looked at the bottle. She couldn't quite put her hoof on it, but for some reason the bottle seemed to have moved away from her. After eyeing it suspiciously for a few seconds, she drew her attention back to the book. As soon as she heard the noise again, she shot a glance and finally saw the bottle move.

“What the..?” Rainbow lifted the bottle and went wide-eyed. “HUH?!? LEXY?! How..? Wha..?”

Alex panicked and tried to make a dash towards the edge. With quick reflexes, Rainbow dropped the bottle and intercepted him by placing her left hoof in his path. With that way blocked, Alex quickly turned to jump off the other side of the desk. He was only halfway across until Rainbow blocked that path with her other hoof. With both escape routes blocked, Alex found himself trapped as Rainbow closed her forelegs around him.

“HA! What will you do now, shrimp?” Rainbow smirked.

As Rainbow leaned in closer, Alex suddenly glanced at the book in front of him. Without any other options, Alex suddenly grabbed the edges of the book and closed it right over Rainbow Dash's muzzle.

BANG!

This painful action caused her to rear back in pain. Rubbing her muzzle, she glared at him. “Oh you'll pay for th-!” She spotted Alex as he quickly crawled into the bottle. Rainbow tried to reach his legs with her teeth, but he had already slipped inside. “HEY! Get outta there!”

She picked up the bottle, hovered above the floor and looked inside it. She then began shaking it, hoping to force Alex out. Thinking he had enough, she peered into the bottle with a wryly grin.

“ACHOO!”

POFF!

Green illusion powder erupted into her eyes. “Gah! My eyes! You little..!” Rubbing her eyes, she inadvertently dropped the bottle, causing it to shatter on the floor.

SMASH!

Alex, miraculously unharmed by that, rose from the powder and was met with another surprise. The green smoke on the floor had suddenly manifested itself into several dozen green copies of himself. Before he could question what was going on, Rainbow had recovered her sight back and snarled as she glared at them.

“RUN AWAY!” yelled Alex.

“RUN AWAY!” yelled the clones and they all scattered in every direction.

“Huh?!” Rainbow was confused. How did so many Alex's suddenly appear on the floor? While curious, she was more intent on catching them. She quickly zoomed in on one of them, dove forward and nabbed him as he tried to take cover behind a stool. “Gotcha!”

POFF!

The Alex clone exploded in her face. Startled, she quickly shook off the green dust on her face and made grab for another Alex as he suddenly ran past her legs. “Aha! Got-”

POFF!

“-you…”

Rainbow frowned and tapped her hoof on floor with annoyance as the Alex she caught was another clone that also exploded in her face. She quickly discovered that all but the true Alex was all green. Realizing that, she decided to minimize that problem in the best way she knew how.

STOMP! POFF!

“TAKE THAT!” She stomped across the floor, nailing one Alex clone after another with suppressed joy.

STOMP! POFF! STOMP! POFF!

“AND THAT! AND THAT!”

STOMP! POFF! STOMP! POFF! STOMP! POFF! STOMP! POFF!

After many ‘stomps’ and ‘poff’s’ later, all the Alex clones were gone. Rainbow panted and looked around. She quickly spotted the real Alex as he made an attempt to open a window.

*****

Outside beneath the window, Pinkie Pie whistled nonchalant as she wryly eyed the window Alex was trying to open.

Once Rainbow entered the library, Pinkie had remained outside hoping she would probably leave. Peering through one of the windows, she was watching the comedic scenes and had been trying hard not to laugh her head off. While Rainbow was busy with the remaining clones, Pinkie had eyed the real Alex as he made his way to the nearest window to escape. She quickly and unnoticed positioned herself beneath it, licked her lips and made herself ready to grab him.

She kept feeling a twitch, but ignored it as she was too close to her prize. As soon as the window began to open, she made her move and reached for him.

“AHA! GOTC-!”

SLAM!

*****

Before Alex had the chance to slip out the window, Rainbow, as a rocket, quickly closed it. The violent force of the window slamming shut caused Alex to fall off the windowsill and down to the floor.
“You're not getting away that easily you little pipsqueak!” Rainbow grinned, ignoring the squeaking noise of Pinkie's hilariously flat face as she painfully slid down the window and out of view.

Alex scuttled away on his back, barely unable to take his eyes away from the towering cyan menace in front of him. He now suddenly had a strange sense of Déjà vu as he realized he had seen himself in this situation before.
Panicking, he suddenly sprung back on his feet and tried to run away.

“Think you can run away from me like that?” She reared herself and brought her hooves down hard on the floor, causing Alex to lose his footing. He felt the threatening shadow of Rainbow Dash as she loomed over him a sinister smirk on her face.
“I don't know what happened to you, but I like it...” she grinned. “Don't you think I've forgotten what you did to me earlier today?” Alex gulped as Rainbow took one more step towards him. “You know what? I'm in the mood for a game. How about it Lexy? Let's see how fast really you are!”

Rainbow Dash raised her hoof and aimed it at Alex. With lightning quick reflexes, Alex got away just as her hoof slammed down.

STOMP!

He ran across the floor, dodging left and right as her hooves came down around him.

STOMP! STOMP!

Rainbow chuckled to herself as she tried to step on him while missing on purpose. She wasn't going to actually hurt him, but rather teach him an important lesson in not to make a fool of somepony like her ever again.

Alex knew there was only one way to get out of this, and that was to do something completely unexpected and stupid. Without warning, Alex suddenly ran between Rainbow's legs as she brought down her hoof again. Rainbow curiously lowered head down and watched between her legs as he grabbed onto her tail. She then lifted her tail, taking Alex with it.

“HUH?!? What are you-?” Rainbow whipped her tail around, trying to force him off. Timing it just right, Alex let go and was flung into the air, landing on Rainbow Dash's back. “HEY! GET OFF!”

Rainbow kicked and reared, trying to force Alex off. “I SAID, GET OFF!” But Alex held on tight to her coat, refusing to be tossed off. “Oh? So you want to ride the pony, huh? Then how about a PEGASUS pony? HANG ON TIGHT!” Rainbow grinned as she spread her wings and flew around the library, sending books, scrolls, letters, papers and quills flying all over the place. If Alex couldn't be tossed off, he'd be BLOWN off.

Alex tearfully struggled against the G-force as he slowly worked his way up to Rainbow's head. Reaching the top off her head, he made a quick jump and grabbed her right ear.

“HEY!? WHAT THE-?”

The sudden pull on her ear caused her to inadvertently change trajectory and flew straight into the nearest bookcase.

“GAH!”

CRASH!

*****

Meanwhile, in the Everfree Forest...

“Thank you so much Zecora.” said Twilight happily as Zecora presented her with the antidote. “Alex is going to be so happy to back to his old self. I can't imagine how awful this whole ordeal must've been for him.” She then looked saddened. “I must admit I haven't been fair to him. I don't mean him any harm, it's just...”

Zecora smiled. “If noble your intentions be, then true friends Alex will see.”

Twilight smiled curiously a bit at that remark as she waited until Spike had hoped on her back, carrying a bowl of herbal tea while plucking off some feathers. “Goodbye Zecora! And thanks again for both the antidote and the tea.”

“Good luck young Twilight, and give my regards to your friends. It shall truly be interesting to see how this ends.” She waved before going back inside. Twilight was a bit curious as to what she meant by that, but she was too eager to hurry back to Alex with the antidote and quickly galloped through the Everfree back to Ponyville, barely avoiding a mint green unicorn and her friend.

“Excuse me!”

*****

Lying on the floor and recovering from a splitting headache, Rainbow blurrily looked up and saw that Alex had flown off her ear and was hanging from the top book shelf before quickly disappearing behind the books. Gritting her teeth in anger, she pushed away the pain, flew up and started pulling books off the shelves.

“Think you can hide from me, huh?” Rainbow pulled out the books where Alex had ducked behind, only to find him gone. Realizing that he was using all the books as cover, Rainbow emptied the entire bookshelf. With no sign of Alex, she became frustrated and started looking behind every row of books.
Within seconds, books were littering the floor of the library. In her frantic search, she suddenly realized that she had emptied the entire shelf without finding Alex. “GONE? But how..?” She then eyed the books on the floor and wondered. She flew down and started to go through each book front to back and pilling those she went through into a slowly ascending tower of books.
Picking up a book titled Found! she looked behind it and found Alex still clinging on to it.

“AHA!”

Realizing he'd been found, Alex quickly dived towards the tower of books in a desperate attempt to get away from her. With spiderlike reflexes, he effortlessly scaled the tower.
Rainbow just sat there and watched with silent amusement as he climbed the books in his pathetic attempt to escape her. Taking her sweet time, she slowly got up and spread her wings to intercept him “Got you now twerp!”

Just as Alex reached the top, he felt the tower wobble unsteadily due to his weight and tried to keep his balance to avoid tipping over. Just then, Rainbow appeared before him, grinning victoriously. “Nowhere to run now runt...” She made a grab for him but missed when he jumped up, causing the tower to lean away from her. “Huh?” Still trying to keep his balance, Alex managed to avoid crashing down as the stack slowly began to erect itself, heading back towards the now eagerly awaiting Rainbow Dash. Once he was close, Rainbow made another grab for him.
Suddenly, Alex made a leap towards her and jumped on her muzzle. He then ran up her forehead and hid in her mane. “Ew! Get out of there!” She dropped down on the floor beside the tower of books, frantically searching through her mane.

She finally felt something familiar and pulled Alex out. “Aha! I got you now you little twerp!” She held Alex right in front of her. Alex quickly eyed the tower of books beside him and reached out. “You're mine! All mi-!”

BONK!

“Ow!” She painfully rubbed her cheek as Alex had struck her with a book he had pulled from the tower. “Why you little-” She was about do something when another book suddenly hit her on the head from above.

BONK!

“Ouch! Huh? What the..?” Rubbing her head, she glanced up and her pupils shrank as the tower of books began to topple over. Alex braced himself while Rainbow's ears flattened. “Mommy...”

CRASH!

The library shook with tremendous force. As the dust settled, Alex slowly opened his eyes and realized that he was okay. Rainbow Dash however had taken the full brunt of the falling books. She was now buried under a pile of heavy literature, with only her hoof still holding on to Alex sticking out. Prying himself free, he jumped off and ran away as she began to stir.

“Groan..!” Rainbow’s head emerged from out the pile. Dazed and probably suffering a mild concussion, she shook off the winged books that were flying around her head.

She rubbed her aching head as she pulled herself out of the pile. “Uh... What happened..?” She shook her head more violently this time once she started to remember. With boiling anger, she looked around for Alex and soon spotted him as he climbed up a ladder towards another bookcase. He had just about reached the top as Rainbow’s face began to turn red with anger. “WHY... WHY YOU LITTLE...”

She coiled up and made a dive up towards him. Before Alex could find a safe place to hide, Rainbow landed at the top of the ladder and caught him firmly in her hooves. “Gotcha- Woah!”

Rainbow suddenly slipped. Her hind leg got caught on the top step of the ladder and was starting to tip over due to the sudden weight increase. She attempted to fly off but her leg was now stuck. To keep herself from being pulled down by the ladder and crashing to the floor, Rainbow used her wings to stabilize herself while she wobbled clumsily around the library with the ladder acting like stilts. All the while still holding on to Alex and refusing to let go.

Too caught up in trying to prevent herself from falling, Alex eventually managed to pull himself free from Rainbow's hooves again and leapt over to the nearest bookcase. “HEY!” In a sudden attempt to stop him, she unwittingly found herself reaching too far out and plummeted down to the floor.

“WOAH-WAH!!”

CRASH!

The resulting crash sent more books flying off their shelves. As the dust and leaves of paper settled, Alex peered off form the other bookcase and saw that the mangled form of Rainbow as she had somehow managed to get herself stuck between the steps of the ladder.

"Groan... "

Alex giggled and then laughed at the sight.

Bruised but ever the persistent pony, Rainbow eventually managed to pull her herself free, shaking off the hurt and embarrassment of the whole thing. She turned her eyes towards Alex again, this time with a look that frightened him even more.

Stomping angrily towards him, Alex, without really thinking, reached for one of the books and tossed it at Rainbow. She dodged it and eyed the book as it landed behind her before glaring back at him. “Hah! Missed! Pttt~!”

WHAM!

Alex threw another book that, unfortunately, found its target. Rainbow silently removed the book from her face, revealing a slightly red imprint on her face and glowered at him.
“Alright, you want to do this the hard way? THEN LET'S DO THIS THE HARD WAY!” She used the book Alex had hit her with and threw back it at him. She missed. She picked up another one from the floor and tossed that at him. And then another one and then another. Soon enough she was bombarding him with books, missing every time.

"Twilight won't like what you're doing to her books Rainbow Dash!" Alex yelled, ducking down just in time to avoid a book that sailed over him. Rainbow just glared at him and snorted, clearly showing that she didn't care.
She continued to bombard him with book after book before finally becoming fatigued. Alex peered down at Rainbow with a smug look on his face and stuck out his tongue. "Nya nya! Missed me! Pttt~!"

Rainbow, now blinded with furious rage, flared up her wings and shot up towards him with an angry shout.

"YAAAARG!"

CRASH!

Alex fortunately however avoided the cyan missile just in time as she crashed into the top shelf, sending more books flying all over the library. He seized this moment to hop down the shelf, using a piece of paper to glide down onto the floor and quickly head for the window again.

Unfortunately for him, Rainbow never knew the meaning of the words 'give up' and began to pull herself free from the shelf. With the window still painfully out of reach, Alex's only hope of escaping her now was through a small mouse hole he conveniently found leading into a nearby wall.
After pulling her head free of the shelf and shaking off the dizziness, Rainbow Dash quickly eyed Alex on the floor and made another dive towards him, only to lose him just as he ducked into the hole.

CRASH!

Rainbow Dash crashed again, this time with her muzzle getting stuck in the mouse hole. Using her hind legs she pulled herself free. Her muzzle was oddly shaped like the mouse hole before she shook it back to its normal form.

“HEY! GET BACK HERE YOU!” she yelled, glaring angrily into the hole. She quickly forced her hoof inside hoping to grab him, but Alex managed to scuttle away just in time.

Alex panted heavily, relieved that he had finally escaped the flying 'Crazy Quilt'. Suddenly he turned his head and saw to his surprise a family of mice sitting by a makeshift table, frozen in surprise right in the middle of a meal at the appearance of this unexpected guest. Not wanting to question it, Alex dusted himself off and got up.

“Excuse me... I don't mean to interrupt, but can any one of you please show me where the nearest exit is?” All four mice pointed in one direction, their expressions still frozen. “Thank you.” Alex said and followed their direction.

Alex finally reached the hole that lead outside. He walked out and drew a happy sigh of relief that he was finally safe. That is until a shadow suddenly loomed over him. Alex curiously looked up and saw familiar pink pony with a band aid on her muzzle, holding a bucket.

“AHA! GOTCHA!”

*SHRIEK!*

In a flash, Alex ducked back inside the hole just as the bucket nearly trapped him. He ran back in panic-mode, passing the family of mice who still hadn't moved. “EXCUSE ME!!!”

Alex ran back into the library, completely forgetting about Rainbow Dash. Exiting the mouse hole, he stopped to have a breather and pull himself together. That's when he realized it suddenly got dark. It was moist and the floor felt funny too. Wanting to turn back, Alex discovered that he was trapped. Suddenly there was an earthquake and it felt like he was being lifted off the ground.

*****

Rainbow Dash lifted her puckered-faced head from the floor with suppressed cheer as she felt Alex prodding around in her mouth. While she was eyeing the mouse hole, she had spotted Alex as he made is unexpected return back. Rainbow then had an idea and placed herself in front of the hole, opening her mouth wide enough for Alex to unwittingly storm in. With Alex now trapped inside her mouth, Rainbow declared herself the winner of this little chase and headed for the front door. It was time to take her prize home...

SLAM!

“AHA! Now I have...” Barging in quite unexpected, and still armed with a bucket, Pinkie Pie stopped as she couldn't find Alex anywhere. “Shoot! He's not here! Dashie did you see-?” Pinkie's eyes widened as she found Rainbow with her face firmly planted in the door. She quickly realized her error and chuckled nervously. “Oh! Hi Rainbow Dash... I did sense somepony was going to hit the door, but I didn't think it would be...”

With a painful moan, Rainbow planted her legs on the door and forced her face free. Shaking her flat face back to normal, she angrily glared at Pinkie. “PINKIE PIE? What in blazes do you think you're-!” Rainbow suddenly froze. Something was wrong. She felt around in her mouth with her tongue. Her pupils shrank as she froze up again. "Oh no..!"

“What is it?”

“I...” she gulped. “I ATE him!”

*****

Alex woke up after that unexplained force had knocked him out. He rubbed his head and tried to figure out where he was. Wherever he was, it was completely dark and still moist. He heard a strange rhythmic noise and it sounded as if he was inside a cave. He also noticed a strange scent in the air...

“Sniff! Sniff!”

‘Skittles..?’

*****

“OhmygosohmygoshOHMYGOSH! I ATE him! Oh sweet Celestia, this isn't good!” Rainbow trotted frantically in place while flapping her wings at the same time.

“Ate who?”

“Lexy! I ate Lexy!” she yelled.

“Lexy?”

“You know! That... that human guy!”

“Oh! You mean Alex!” Pinkie smiled. Suddenly her eyes shot wide open. “WAIT! YOU ATE ALEX?” Rainbow bit her lip and nodded nervously. “How was he?”

“PINKIE! This is no time for jokes! I have to get him out!”

“Ooh! Ooh! You better come with me to Sugarcube Corner! I got just the tools!” Rainbow threw her an odd look. “Or did I dream it? It was a funny dream. You were in it. We were making cupcakes and...”

“Pinkie, I don't have time for your dream stories! I have to get him out right NOW!!!”

“Sheesh! No need to rocket out of control...”

Rainbow dropped down on her haunches and wrapped her forelegs around her growling stomach, still panicking. “Oh no! He's fading, I just know it!”

*****

Meanwhile, inside Rainbow Dash…

“Echo!”

Echo... Echo... Echo...

*****

“Don't worry my little Dashie. 'Papa Pinkie' knows just what to do!”

Pinkie cheerfully skipped over to the panicking Rainbow. Without resisting, Rainbow found herself being pulled and shifted around by Pinkie until she found herself bent over with her rear in the air. Pinkie then appeared behind her and, with a mischievous grin, raised a large paddle.

“Alright! Let's get spanking!” Pinkie yelled, pulling Rainbow's tail up to get a clear shot.

“WAIT! WHAT ARE YOU-?”

SPANK!

“AH! HNG! BLORP! PTUI!”

“WAAAAAAH!!!” Alex yelled as he flew out of Rainbow's mouth, through the library and in the air out the open door.

“OH NO! HE FLEW OUT THE DOOR!” yelled Rainbow Dash while Pinkie gasped. Rainbow bolted out of the library and into the air with Pinkie close behind.

*****

Returning from her trip to Zecora, Twilight hummed cheerfully to herself as she magically held the antidote to Alex's condition. Resting on her back was Spike, having finally shed off the last of the feathers. Suddenly, a tiny wailing creature zoomed past above them.

“WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH~!!!”

Twilight and Spike noticed and Twilight went wide-eyed. “ALEX!?!”

Suddenly, a familiar cyan pegasus flew passed her. “I've got you Lexyyyyy~!”

Quickly followed by an even familiar pink party pony. “I'm right behind ya Dashieeeee~!”

“RAINBOW DASH?! PINKIE PIE!?!” Her surprised reaction caused her to suddenly seize her magic and drop the antidote. It hit the ground and smashed. "NO!" she reared in lament, accidently tossing Spike off and causing him to drop the bowl of herbal tea, which too shattered. “NO! NONONO-NO!!!” She quickly galloped after them with Spike close behind. “RAINBOW DASH!!! PINKIE!!!”

Soaring through the air, Alex finally opened his eyes and discovered he was flying over Ponyville. Not sure why or how that happened, he didn't have much time to wonder and he quickly realized that he was heading for the town well.

“Hang on, I gotcha!”

Alex glanced back and saw Rainbow Dash closing in with her hooves reaching out to him. Before she could even reach him, she collided with the support beam to the well.

BANG!

“OFF!”

Alex flew down the well and disappeared into the darkness. Shaking off the pain and dizziness, Rainbow Dash quickly peered over the well after him.

SPLASH!

“NOOOOOO!!!”

“RAINBOW DASH!!!”

Rainbow Dash froze as she recognized Twilight's voice. She saw her as she and Pinkie galloped towards her. “Oh... Eh hehe... Hey Twilight... OFF!” She didn't have much else to say as Twilight tackled her to the ground, looking her right in the eyes.

“Rainbow Dash! Where is Alex?” Twilight demanded, glaring at the nervous pegasus with her nostrils snorting with rage.

Rainbow Dash gulped and pointed to the well. “I... He... I- I tried to...”

Her eyes wide with shock, Twilight instantly rushed over to the well and peered down. “Alex? ALEX!!” She desperately tried to use her magic, but was unable to locate him.

“Quick! Let's fish him out!” Pinkie Pie yelled and threw the bucket into the well.

“Alex! Quick, grab the bucket!” Twilight yelled into the well. Waiting a moment, Pinkie pulled the bucket back up but it contained nothing but water.

“Twilight!” Spike shouted. Twilight understood as he hopped into the bucket and was lowered down. Once reaching the water, Spike used his flames to light the bottom of the well. Searching the surface of the water, he could find no trace of Alex. Signaling to be pulled up, he met Twilight's hopeful look with his disappointed one. “I'm sorry Twilight...”

“No! No, he can't be gone! NO!” She looked down in the well. “ALEX!!!” her cry echoed down the well, but there was no reply. “He... He must've been carried off by the underground current. He could be anywhere! That's if he's still...” Twilight slumped down on her haunches and silently sobbed. After everything she had gone and put him through, it had suddenly come to this.

Pinkie Pie slowly placed her hoof on her shoulder, trying to offer some comfort. “I'm so sorry, Twilight. Is there a way we can still find him?”

“No... I mean, there is but we need something from him to do it.”

Pinkie pondered a moment, before she noticed Rainbow Dash trying to remove something stuck in her teeth.

“Ptui! Ew, what is this?” She looked at the foreign object she spat out. It looked like a shoe. No sooner had that thought occurred, when Pinkie Pie swiped the shoe and showed it to Twilight.

“Lookie lookie Twilight!” she bounced cheerfully while showing her Alex's shoe.

“That's it! I can use my magic to find him with this! Oh, thank you Pinkie!” Twilight hugged her.

“Thank Rainbow Dash! She found it!”

Twilight looked over to Rainbow Dash who sat there looking shamefully away. She smiled, trotted over and hugged her. “Thank you Rainbow Dash...”

Rainbow flustered a bit and smiled, rubbing her hoof behind her head. “Well, you can always count on dependable Rainbow Dash to pull through in the end.”

“Come on! Let's get back to the library. If we hurry, we can still save him!” Twilight waited for Spike to jump onto her back before she galloped to the library, with Pinkie Pie bouncing after. Rainbow Dash however was suddenly terrified beyond reason as she remembered something important.

“Uh... Twilight? Ehehe... Funny thing you should mention the library...”

*****

Alex gasped and tried to stay afloat as the underground current forced him along. He had no idea where it was taking him and he was starting to wish he was back in the library. After several agonizing long minutes of trying to grab on to something and fighting the cold current, Alex was suddenly forced underwater as he was sucked inside a pipeline. With no more air available, he peered helplessly through the dark water as he slowly began to drown.
But then, just as he was about to lose his consciousness, Alex suddenly began to see a light ahead of him. Closer and closer it came, and Alex believed at that moment that this was it… his final destination. Closing his eyes, he braced himself to meet his Maker...

SPLASH!

...instead he was emptied out of what appeared to be a faucet and found himself in a large pool.

BLUBB! BLUBB!

Struggling through the warm and soapy water, Alex suddenly began to feel strange. Then, as if by a miracle, he felt his feet touching the bottom. Clearing the water from his eyes, he discovered to his surprise that he was big again.

“I... I'm back to my old self!” Looking around, he realized the current had brought him to some sort of a spa. “Oh thank you merciful Lord, I'm big again! What a relief-!” He froze as he suddenly found himself staring into the surprised eyes of a unicorn. “Oh fudge...”

“ALEXANDER!?”

Chapter 13: Hot Spot

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Chapter 13: Hot Spot

Earlier, at the Ponyville Day Spa…

“Sigh…”

Rarity was in a depressing state as she tried to forget her troubles and woes at her favorite Day Spa with very little success. Some ponies usually drink their sorrows away at the local cider tavern. For Rarity however, a day at the spa was all she needed to wash away her sorrow.

She was half submerged in one of the spa’s Therapy Pools, with pony shaped fountain faucets that poured a mixture of warm and cold spring water.

After her unfortunate swim in garbage (thanks to Pinkie Pie), she had rushed home for a quick, but thorough, shower before desperately searching the whole town for Alex. After several fruitless hours of searching, she mournfully gave up. Not only had she lost her newest pet, she had also lost her only ticket to become the talk of Fancy Pants Evening Gallop Party. Things couldn’t be any worse…

Rarity had stormed into the Day Spa and 'politely' demanded all the works. The spa ponies worked hard to fulfill Rarity’s needs. She had gone through their entire list of relaxing treatments but none of them were enough to satisfy her grief. She had hoped another relaxing dip in their Therapy Pools would ease her tension and stress, but it did very little.

Aloe, a pink earth-pony with blue mane and an oriental flower for a cutie mark, trotted over with a ladle and poured some clear, warm water over her back.

“Feeling better miss Rarity?” she asked with a hopeful look in her eyes.

“Alas, no…” Rarity sighed. “My future is still as bleak as yesterday’s fashion designs! Where? Oh where has my precious Alexander gone?” Rarity wailed as she threw her hooves in the air like the ever popular drama queen she was, unknowingly splashing water in Aloe’s face.
Dripping wet, Aloe rolled her eyes and sighed as she trotted out to the waiting room where her twin sister Lotus Blossom, a blue earth-pony with a pink mane and a similar cutie mark sat to greet customers. Or she would, if they hadn’t been forced to close up due to Rarity practically using up every product they had at their disposal. Even her woeful wailing had spooked away potential customers.

Normally they would have asked her to leave, but Rarity was also their best customer.

“Still upset?”

“Yes...” replied Aloe with a tired sigh. “And this is her fiftieth treatment! How long is she going to stay here?”

“Who knows? Whoever did this to her really did it good…” said Lotus.

“I just hope she gets over it soon so that she can finally get out of here!” Aloe fumed.

“Look on the bright side. At least she’s paying us...”

*****

‘How am I going to pay for all this..?’ Rarity solemnly pondered as she sank just deep enough for only her muzzle to remain above water, blowing bubbles from her mouth as she stared depressingly at nothing. To add more woes to her state, she had in her fit of lament practically gone through every spa treatment there was. More so than once! Along with her hours of work and weeks of ordering supplies for her dress, she had pretty much exhausted her income.
She contemplated on having another round just to get over that depressing thought.

‘Oh what’s the use..?’ she silently moped. Even bathing in Zecora’s last batch of herbal bath didn’t do any good. ‘Oh Alexander… My precious little Alexander… Why..?’

She had tried to come up with every solution to her problem, but the reality of the situation made it all too impossible. There was no way she could have her ruined dress repaired and ready for the party, and using another dress was just out of the question. The only thing that could truly save her from the public ridicule was Alex.

“Hopeless! It’s utterly hopeless! Of all the things that could’ve happened, this is the WORST- POSSIBLE- THING!” she threw her hooves in the air and wailed some more, unaware that something small was being forced out the faucet.
“ALEXANDER! PLEASE COME BACK TO ME-HE-HE-HE-HEEE…!”

SPLASH!

*SHRIEK!*

*****

“…Reallyreallyreallyreallyreallyreallyreallyreallyreallyreallyreally-”

“RAINBOW!”

“Sorry… Squee!” Rainbow finished, putting on the best apologetic smile she could muster. She hoped that Twilight would forgive her for the mess she mad, however Twilight didn’t seem to be moved by her apology and had been ignoring her since her ‘little’ shock at seeing the state of the library. “I’m serious Twilight! I feel really bad about all this!”

“You practically destroyed my library and you lost Alex down a well! You really should feel bad!” she fumed. She felt sorry for Spike who had to remain and pick up after her.

“Ooh! Ooh! Don’t forget she ate him too.” added Pinkie.

“YOU WHAT!?!” exclaimed Twilight.

Rainbow shot Pinkie a venomous glare before looking back at a horrified Twilight. “Eh… Never mind that! We really should focus on finding the little squirt and make sure he’s safe, right? Squee!”

Despite that rather disturbing information from Pinkie, Twilight knew Rainbow was right about one thing. Not wasting any more time, she levitated Alex’s shoe out of her saddlebag, which she had managed to return it to normal size with little of what remained of Zecora’s ruined antidote, and placed it on the ground. She then stepped back and concentrated hard as she focused her magic on it. The shoe slowly lifted off the ground, spun around in the air before stopping.

“Hm… Let’s see. It’s seems to be pointing in the direction of…”

“TWILIGHT!”

“Gah!” Twilight yelped, dropping the shoe as she saw Applejack storm towards her with Fluttershy and the Cutie Mark Crusaders following close behind.

“What’s tis’ Ah’ hear of y’ stealin’ from the youngen’?”

“Steal?” Twilight was confused. She then glanced down towards the Crusaders who frowned at her and realization suddenly hit her. “Oh! Applejack I…”

“Twilight, Ah’m surprised at you! Ah neva thought that ya stoop so low to steal from Applebloom n’ her friends! Ah ought to kick you right upside the head!”

“No… Please don’t…” whispered Fluttershy, detesting any form of violence.

“Applejack, it’s not what you think!” Twilight defended while backing away.

“Don’t ya try n’ deny it Twilight!” yelled Applejack. “Applebloom told me everythin’!”

“Ya pulled a switch-a-roe on us. If Sweetie Belle hadn’t been so curious, we’d never figure out the bottle ya gave us had a mouse in it!” said Applebloom.

“It got in my mane!” cried Sweetie Belle as Scootaloo tried to comfort her while shooting a glare at Twilight.

“Look Twilight. Ah know y’ n’ Ah know ya probably had yer reasons, but Ah jus’ can’t let tis pass. Jus’ hand over whatever it was ya’ stole and we’ll let bygones be bygones.” Applejack held out her hoof.

Twilight looked at Applejack and sighed. “You’re right Applejack and I wish I could give them Alex back, but some ‘featherhead’ dropped him down the well and now I have to find him.” She scornfully eyed Rainbow Dash who looked away, whistling and trying to act innocent.

“Alex?” Applejack blinked. “Yer lookin’ for Alex?” She blinked some more and glanced down at Applebloom. “Wait… Applebloom? That there thing she stole from ya… That was Alex?”

“Yeah!” Applebloom said accusingly. “We found ‘im in the orchard. He’s goin’ to help us get our cutie marks!”

Applejack suddenly became conflicted as she realized that the very thing she was trying to get back for Applebloom, was the very thing she had been after all day. Biting her hoof, she realized she was going to have to try and talk Applebloom about this.

“Now Applebloom… When ya’ll said she took somethin’ from ya, ya didn’t say it was…”

“Ah know Applejack but…”

“Ya’ll should have brought ‘im to the farm! We all could’ve been hoof deep in Bits by now!”

“What? But Applejack…”

*SHRIEK!*

“WHAT IN TARTARUS WAS THAT?” yelled Applebloom, receiving a light slap at the back of her head by her sister.

“Applebloom! Language! Twilight, what in TARTARUS was that?”

“That sounded like Rarity!” exclaimed Rainbow Dash.

Twilight quickly focused her magic on the shoe again. Once in the air, the shoe spun before stopping and pointing its tip in the direction of the scream. “I got a lock! It seems to be pointing in the direction of-Gasp! He’s at the spa!”

“Let’s go!” said Applejack and all the ponies raced towards the spa.

*****

Rarity wailed as something had pushed itself out of the fountain faucet and landed with a splash in her pool. Thinking it was some horrible unsanitary creature, she reached for the nearest brush and readied herself to assault the filthy intruder. The creature then rose to the surface and Rarity was trembling with fear over how big it suddenly looked. Her eyes then grew wide with disbelief as the creature finally emerged from the water.

“I… I’m back to my old self! Oh thank you merciful Lord, I’m big again! What a relief-! Oh fudge…”

“ALEXANDER!?” she happily exclaimed as she dropped the brush. “Alexander! You came back to me!” Rarity tearfully dove forward to hug him. “I just knew you would!”

Alex quickly submerged just as Rarity was about to grab him. He sneaked his way passed her under water and quickly climbed out of the pool. Soaking wet, Alex quickly wiped the soap from his eyes and found the exit. As he bolted for it, he suddenly found himself frozen in place as a familiar blue aura seized him. “Oh no! You are not running away from me again!”

Alex felt himself being pulled towards Rarity. Looking for any means to get free, he eyed a basket of sponges. As Rarity reeled him in like a caught fish, she was suddenly assaulted by a sponge.

SPLOSH!

“Ih! What are you-?” before Rarity could speak any further, she found herself being bombarded by moist sponges.

SPLOSH! SPLOSH!

“Stop that! Honestly, do you even know where those sponges have be-?”

SPLOSH!

Her protests were silenced by a sponge that landed in her mouth. “Ack! Ptui! Ptui!” spitting out the sponge, and the bad aftertaste it left, she lost her focus and Alex forced himself free. “NO! COME BACK!”

Alex flew right through the door, colliding with Aloe who was about to enter with a bundle of folded towels on her back.

CRASH!

Completely covered in towels, one of the two lumps beneath rose to full height and pulled off a towel to reveal itself as Alex. Aloe, dazed and bewildered by what happened, rose her head up as well, removing the towels off her face.

“I’m so sorry!” Alex apologized. “I didn’t see…” He didn’t get to say much as Rarity barged through the door and eyed him with wild determination. “Ops… GOTTA RUN!” Alex was gone in a flash.

“Huh? Wha..?”

“Alexander! You come back here this instant!” yelled Rarity as she raced over Aloe.

“Miss Rarity? But… But your treatment..?”

“Don’t need it darling! I’ve found what I was missing!” Rarity beamed as she galloped after Alex, leaving a somewhat confused Aloe on the floor.

Having dried himself off with some towels he grabbed during his flight, he made his way towards the entrance to the spa. He then saw Lotus Blossom standing in front of him, wondering what the commotion was about.

“LOTUS BLOSSOM! STOP HIM!” yelled Rarity. Lotus just looked confused and didn’t move. “PLEASE! STOP HIM NOW OR ELSE I’LL NEVER LE-HE-HE-HEAVE!!” she cried. Suddenly, Lotus Blossom narrowed her eyes, took a stance and blocked Alex’s path.

“HIYA!”

Showing no signs of stopping, Alex stared bewildered at the pony in front of him that seemed to look as if she knew martial arts. “Pfft! Yeah right! As if you’re going to- WOOOAAAH!”

“KYYYYIIIIIAAA!!!”

CRASH!

What seemed impossible, Alex was suddenly tackled, flung through the air and sent crashing into a wall. Dazed and upside-down, Alex watched as Lotus Blossom and Rarity ganged up on him.

“Heavens! That was rather uncalled for Lotus! Alexander honey, are you alright?” asked Rarity with concern in her voice. Alex was flattered that she cared for his well-being, but he had no intention to stick around and get leashed. Unfortunately, the only exit was now blocked.
Quickly getting back up, Alex bolted passed them and down the way he came. “Hey! Come back here!” yelled Rarity as she and Lotus gave chase.

Alex ran down the corridor, glancing back at Rarity and Lotus as they followed close behind...

CRASH!

He collided with Aloe again, who had been trying to gather up the towels on the floor.

Alex found himself lying on top of Aloe, with the towels raining down around them. They both shook their heads and stared surprised at each other.

“Oh! Hi again…”

“Aloe! Stop him! Stop him and Rarity will finally leave!” yelled Lotus. Aloe, brightened by that good news, tried to get a hold on him but Alex pushed himself off, forcing her down and continued towards the Therapy Pool.

Surrounded by a pool, towels, sponges, tubs and spa equipment’s, Alex realized he was trapped as there was no way out. While eyeing the towels, Alex suddenly had an idea. ‘Desperate times calls for desperate measures!’

Bursting through the door, Rarity and the two spa ponies stopped and eyed Alex as he stood in front of them with a wet towel in his hands. “No place to run Alexander! Surrender now and- Why are you holding a wet towel?” Alex narrowed his eyes. He twirled up the towel, tightened it and smiled mischievously at them. Rarity realized what he was planning and narrowed her eyes, meeting his.

“You wouldn’t dare…”

*Cue Western Stand-Off Music*

While Rarity locked eyes with his, Lotus Blossom and Aloe slowly approached him from the sides, trying to cut off any escape and backing him up against the edge of the pool. Alex glanced at them and readied himself. The two ponies then made their move and charged him. Lost in the moment, Alex gracefully avoided them and delivered a painful whip to their flanks.

CRA-CRACK!

“AH!”

“AI!”

SPLASH! SPLASH!

The two ponies, reacting to the pain, lost their footing and fell into the Therapy Pool. With the spa ponies in the drink, it was only Alex and Rarity now. Alex swung his towel around like a nunchako, followed by an intimidating ‘wanna dance?’ gesture with his hand.
Rarity blinked in surprise by this turn of events, but playfully smirked and magically pulled forth a wet towel-whip of her own.

“Oh… It. Is. ON!”

Like a scene from a popular anime cartoon, both Alex and Rarity locked eyes with eachother and made their move. They jumped towards eachother, both of them swinging their towel-whips and striking a blow to their sensitive rears.

CRACK! CRACK!

“IIH!”

“OW!”

After comically dancing around while rubbing their sore rears, they instantly struck a pose and locked eyes again. They waited for the right moment and swung their towels.

CRACK!

By some random fluke, both ends of the towels met and got tied up in the momentum. With both towels tied together, Alex and Rarity suddenly found themselves in a tug-o-war, trying to pull away from the other.

Using both her magic and teeth, Rarity tried to pull her towel free while Alex made a grab for the nearest post and held on to his towel as best as he could.

“Let… go!” strained Rarity.

“O...kay!” replied Alex as he suddenly let go, sending Rarity tumbling into the pool along with Aloe and Lotus Blossom.

“WHOA-HAHAA!”

SPLASH!

All three ponies surfaced from the pool, Rarity spitting out water as she watched Alex standing by the door. “Ta-ta!” Alex smiled, waving before he disappeared through the door. Rarity fumed with rage, making the pool seem like a bubble-bath.

“ALEXANDER!!! YOU GET BACK HERE THIS INSTANT!”

Alex ran down the corridor towards the exit. Nothing could stop him now.

“It’s pointing down here…”

CRASH!

Alex saw stars as he suddenly crashed into yet another pony. Shaking off his dizziness, he then noticed something in front of him.

“Hey! My shoe!” he exclaimed, happily picking up the shoe after he realized he was missing his. He then heard a familiar groan beneath him. His blood then ran cold as he got a good look at the pony he ran into. “Ah! Twilight?!”

“Alex! I’m so happy to see you’re back to normal again…” Twilight painfully smiled, thankful that her overwhelmed joy of seeing him alright suppressed any intent of physically harming him after that brutal collision that left her pinned on the ground with Alex lying on top of her.

“ALEX!?”

“LEXY!?”

Alex's eyes widened and nearly popped out with trumpet-bursting dread as everyone, including the Cutie Mark Crusaders, had all arrived at the spa.

*SHRIEK!*

Alex stormed off Twilight and headed back down the corridor again with the ponies galloping after, running over Twilight in the process.

“Uuh…” Twilight painfully groaned while seeing stars.

With the herd close behind him, Alex ran back towards the pool. He stopped as the doors of the Pool Room suddenly burst wide open, revealing a dripping wet and angry-looking Rarity, along with the equally annoyed twins Aloe and Lotus Blossom.

“ALEXANDER!” Rarity roared, causing Alex to tremble.

Looking both sides, Alex was cornered. With both the exit and the pool completely cut off, there was only one way to go. He had avoided it for a very good reason; The Sauna. With no other option, Alex darted towards the Sauna, with the ponies hot on his heels.
Alex burst into the Sauna. Fortunately it was empty. But aside from a fire-stove, a bucket of water with a ladle and benches, there was no way out and nowhere to hide.

“He’s in the Sauna! We have him now!” yelled Twilight as she caught up with them.

“Ah got mah rope ready” yelled Applejack.

Thinking quickly, Alex grabbed the bucket of water and poured it all over the stove. The large build-up of steam filled the Sauna just as the ponies barged in.

“We gotcha- HEY?!”

“OUCH! Watch it!”

“Where is he? I can’t see!”

“I have his leg!”

“That’s MY leg!”

“Whose rope is this?”

“EEEP!”

“WE GOT HIM! AH! SOMEPONY GRABBED ME!”

“*SHRIEK!*”

“What’s going on!?”

During the confusion, Alex, crawling on all fours, sneaked out the steam-filled Sauna and scurried towards the exit. As the steam finally settled, the Sauna was quite the sight. Applejack’s rope was everywhere and she herself was tied up like she was back in the barn. “Not again…” she sighed.

All the ponies were tied up in the most comical fashion. Both Twilight and Rainbow were bound together; muzzle to muzzle, the Cutie Mark Crusaders were in a bundle, holding on to eachother’s back leg. Aloe and Lotus Blossom were conveniently bound together back to back. Rarity was hanging upside-down by her hind legs. Fluttershy was probably the only untied pony who was curled up in the middle of the floor, shaking like a leaf while concealing her eyes. And Pinkie Pie was holding onto… her rear?

“I GOT HIM! I GOT HIM! Huh?” Realizing she was hugging her own rear, Pinkie let go and giggled. “Giggle-Snort! Sorry!” She then looked around. “Where’s Alex?”

“HE’S GONE!” Twilight immediately yelled with frustration.

*****

Enough was enough. Now that was Alex big again he wasted no time and quickly headed out of town, passing ponies that just stood around and stared puzzlingly at him.

Back at the spa, Twilight and her friends had finally gotten lose from Applejack’s rope. They burst out the front door and immediately went their separate ways to search for him.

“He’s around here somewhere!” Twilight snorted. “I’ll get him if the last thing I do!”

“Not if Ah get 'im first!” replied Applejack.

“No way! I’m gonna get him!” challenged Rainbow Dash.

“You leave him alone. He’s mine!” sneered Rarity.

“Nopey-Dopey! He’s mine, mine, mine-MINE!” cheered Pinkie Pie as she skipped away cheerfully.

“HE’S OURS!” yelled the crusaders, speeding off in their scooter.

Fluttershy, watching them take off, waited a moment. “Um… No! He’s mine…” she whispered and ran off shortly after.

Watching the ponies disappear, Aloe turned to Lotus Blossom. “Finally!” They stood there quietly for a moment. “By the way, did Rarity pay us at all..?”

“No… I don’t believe she did…” replied Lotus slightly annoyed. They both frowned.

Aloe then had a thought. “You know, that human must be pretty special if they want him so badly. He could even make a nice addition to our business.”

“I agree! Let’s find him before they do!” The spa ponies cantered off to search for him.

All over town, Twilight and her friends went about searching for him, asking random ponies for any information. This soon earned the attention of the entire town. Soon words of the human spread like wildfire and it wasn’t long before every pony started to find a fascinating interest in Alex. Some even found interest in him without really knowing why.

*****

“Have you heard? They’re looking for some creature called a human!”

“A human? That weird creature that’s been running around here?”

“Is it dangerous?”

“A human? How exciting!”

“HUMAN!!!”

“I want one!”

“ME TOO!”

“I think I saw him heading for Ponyville Park!”

“HE’S IN THE PARK!”

“TO THE PARK!!!”

*****

Taking a moment to finally put his shoe back on properly, Alex breathed heavily with exhaustion after that horrible spa ordeal. Hoping to find some sanctuary in the park, he hid in the bushes as ponies went to and fro unbeknownst of his presence. Alex started to wonder if there was any escape from this. Was there any way he could possibly get home? Would he even find it? Or would he spend the rest of his life running from ponies in this crazy pony world?

“HERE HE IS! I FOUND HIM!”

Alex burst out of his thoughts and looked to see a green earth-pony mare peering at him through the bushes.

“GRAB HIM!” another pony yelled. The pony made a grab for him, but Alex quickly dodged her and took off like a shot with the other ponies in hot pursuit.

As he ran he suddenly saw three more ponies galloping towards him with great determination in their eyes. Alex made a sharp detour, trying to lose them. One unicorn pony tried to stun him with his magic, but was unable to lock on to him. He then looked up and saw two pegasi diving down towards him.

Taking a chance, Alex positioned himself just right, dodging away just as they made their dive and causing them to collide with the approaching ponies behind him.

CRASH!

With the ponies momentarily down and out, Alex had only short time to breathe easy as he heard another voice.

“He’s over there! Quick! Get him!”

He turned and saw more ponies approaching. Alex ran as fast as he could with the herd of ponies hot on his heels.

Somewhere high above ground, a pony in a hot air balloon suddenly glanced over the side and curiously watched all these ponies below chasing this strange bipedal figure that kept dodging them at every turn.

*Cue Benny Hill related theme*

*****

Several chase scenes later…

Exhausted, Alex finally stopped running and panted heavily as he tried to regain his breath. He had run further into the park, dodging ponies left and right before he finally managed to lose them. Now he was standing in open and plain sight on a grassy field. While there was currently no sign of ponies, he knew it was only a matter of time before more arrived. “What’s happening? Why are there so many ponies after…” Alex suddenly heard a faint rumble that grew louder by the second.

RUMBLE!

“…me?” he squeaked as he stared with silent horror at the massive herd of ponies that now approached him from all sides. If he was on an island, that island was slowly sinking beneath an ocean of ponies. Alex collapsed on his knees. This was it...

“Hey! What is this? What’s going on?” Twilight yelled, frustrated to see so many ponies all at once. After hearing where Alex was, she immediately set her course for the park. It was only when she arrived she suddenly noticed she wasn’t the only one. “Hey! What do you want with Alex?” she asked a random pony beside her.

“You want that human? Well I want him too!”

“I don’t know why, but if he’s THAT interesting then I want him!” another pony joined in.

“No! I want him!” yelled a pegasus.

“NO! HE’S MINE!!!” screamed Twilight, pushing them away with her magic.

“Off! Get back! Get back consarnit!” yelled Applejack, bumping into the other ponies, forcing herself ahead of them. “Sheesh! These ponies are as excited as piglets’ durin’ feedin’ time!”

Pinkie Pie had no problem skipping through the mob of ponies as she happily hummed her favorite tunes.

“Faster Scootaloo!” yelled Sweetie Belle as their scooter slowly pulled ahead of the galloping ponies behind.

“I’m trying! I’m trying!” panted Scootaloo, more concerned about being trampled than losing Alex.

“Oh no you don’t! He’s mine!” yelled Rarity as she frantically tackled one pony after another, reducing the competition as best she could. “MINE!”

In the sky, Rainbow Dash found herself being surrounded by pegasi as they all homed in on the target on the ground. “Think you’ll get him before me, huh?” She zoomed ahead, causing the others to get caught in her tailwind and thrown off course.

Fluttershy however struggled to keep up. “Oh! Excuse me, but you’re in my way and…” Getting a short glimpse through the herd of ponies, she saw the now terrified Alex as he sat on his knees, covering himself and trembling like a scared little rabbit. Suddenly, a surge of emotional rage exploded inside of Fluttershy, causing her to send several ponies flying by the cheer force of her own determined mission to protect Alex, impressing even her own friends. “LEAVE! HIM! ALONE!!!”

Alex could do nothing but watch as the wall of ponies closed in from around AND above him. Twilight and her friends were in the lead. Time seemed to slow down as they were now only a few feet away from him and closing. Alex crouched down and closed his eyes, brazing himself for the inevitable impact. They were now only inches away. Their shadows touching him as they enclosed upon him. Alex felt everything going white…

KA-BOOM!

The tremendous collision sent several earth-ponies, unicorns and pegasi flying in every direction, creating a huge mushroom cloud of dust.

Once it settled, it revealed a mountain of ponies all piled up on top of each other.

“DARN IT! SO CLOSE!!” lamented a mint unicorn as she was pulled out of the pile by her earth-pony friend. All the ponies moaned and groaned, shaking off the pain and dizziness of the impact. Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, Rarity, Pinkie Pie, Applejack, even the Cutie Mark Crusaders, all crawled out of the pile aching and moaning. At the top of the pile, a pony was suddenly shoved aside as Twilight forced herself up, looking around rather confused.

“Wh- Where did he go? GAH!”

Twilight yelped as she was suddenly forced off the top by Ditzy Doo who popped up from beneath her, sending her tumbling down to the ground.

“Off!”

*****

‘Am I dead? Is this the After Life? It feels pretty close to being alive…’

Alex slowly opened his eyes. The white light that engulfed him faded and he found himself no longer in Ponyville Park, but somewhere else entirely.
Looking up, he saw a marvelous ivory colored castle in glorious décor. He then turned around and found he was standing on a balcony. Looking over the balcony, he was even more shocked to discover that he was suddenly high up on a mountain side. Looking straight ahead, he caught the sight a familiar town in the distance. It was Ponyville!

“How did this happen? Where am I?!” he asked no one in particular.

“Thou art in Canterlot, the Capital of Equestria and home to the Celestial Regents!”

Alex turned around and saw the new pony that suddenly appeared behind him.

“And We hast found thee at last! Huzzah!”

Chapter 14: Royal Display

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Chapter 14: Royal Display

Alex blinked several times as he beheld the dark blue pony in front of him. She was way different than the ones in Ponyville. She was taller, slender and had both a horn and wings. Her mane and tail of translucent indigo seemed to move on its own with the illusion of the night sky. Looking closely he noticed she had the moon as a cutie mark.
She wore a dark crown and she had two dark clad armored pegasi guards accompanying her (of course their wings resembled more like batwings than birdwings). Alex slowly began to suspect that this pony was royalty.

“Who… Who are you?” he asked in a somewhat frightened voice.

“I am Princess Luna, Keeper of Dreams, Ruler of the Night and the sister to Princess Celestia.” Luna addressed herself. Alex was awestruck. Once the term ‘royalty’ was confirmed, he felt compelled to kneel and thus bowed his head low as a sign of respect. Luna, quite taken back by Alex’s surprisingly good manners, smiled and trotted over to him. “Please. There is no need for that. Thou may rise and be at ease.”

Alex, still being cautious, rose to his feet while not taking his eyes off her. She was scarcely his height, perhaps a head shorter by only a few inches. She also seemed to speak in an old fashion way. He felt a bit nervous as the princess seemed to be quite taken by him and trotted around him as if she was inspecting him.

“Hm… Yes, excellent.” She muttered.

“Um… If it’s not impolite for me to ask, how did I get here?” Alex said, still puzzled by what happened.

“Oh! I brought you here. In fact, I’ve been searching for thee, young Alex.” Luna said, realizing Alex was obviously confused and deserved an explanation.

“Looking for me? Wait! How do you know my name? Have we met?” Looking more closely, Alex couldn’t help but realize that something seemed awfully familiar. Where had he seen her before?

“Nay, we have not.” she replied. “But I’ve been aware of you ever since I sensed the presence of an alien entity in Equestria. I also sensed great distress and searched high and low to find you. Once I did, I locked on to you magically and teleported you here.”
“I had hoped to bring you here sooner, but recently I had some trouble finding you as thou had somehow vanished from my sight.”

Alex probably knew the reason for that. He had been shrunk.

“But it doesn’t matter now. Thou art here! Thou can’t fathom how happy this makes me!” Luna gleamed and giddily skipped in place, earning a slightly awkward look by her guards. Alex was happy to see her so cheerful, but still there was one question… Why?
After everything he had been through, the chilling thought of even a pony princess taking an interest in him seemed unnerving. Did she bring him here for protection or was she like the others?

“Your Highness… I’m grateful for what you did. You really saved my life back there. But I have to know… Why?”

Luna stopped dancing and looked at him questionably. “Pardon?”

Alex swallowed nervously. “What I mean is… Well, those ponies back there… They…”

Luna’s eyes widened. She extended her wings and gently wrapped them around his shoulders as a sign of comfort. “My dearest Alex, forgive me! I completely forgot!” She leaned closer and gently nuzzled his cheek. For some reason that made him blush. “I know what thou hast been through and I apologize greatly if my actions made thee feel uneasy.”
She then pulled away and bowed her head. “I also must apologize for the disgraceful behavior of our subjects. I promise thee thou art safe here, and that I’ll aid thee in any way I can.”

Alex couldn’t help but to feel a good sense of relief. Maybe he had finally found a pony who could help him get home and not see him as a curiosity, freak, nuisance, pet or a future equine.

RUMBLE!

Suddenly, Alex felt his tummy rumble. Luna giggled.

“Poor thing… Thou must be famished. Please join me and I shall treat thee to the finest cuisines Canterlot has to offer. Once thou hast eaten, I’ll do whatever is in my power to aid thee.”

Alex didn’t need to be told twice and followed Luna as she showed him the way to the nearest restaurant while being escorted by her guards.

*****

Back in Ponyville...

All the ponies who had joined the hunt had pretty much given up their search for Alex and had returned to their homes and places of business with a few mild scrapes and bruises. All except for eight ponies (plus Spike) who still hadn’t given up. They soon became ten as Rarity finally re-joined them in the library, acting as if she had been robbed.

“You okay Rarity?” asked Spike.

“Okay? I am far from okay Spikey-Wikey…” She levitated a scroll and handed it to him.

“What’s this?” He opened it. “A bill..?” It unrolled on the floor, revealing a list of numbers that kept unfolding until it hit a wall. “Woah…”

“THE BILL OF ALL BILLS!” she choked as she recalled back from earlier when she pulled herself out of the mountain of dazed ponies, only to meet the glares of the Aloe and Lotus. “It’s just simply dreadful! I have to sell all my dresses just to reach that amount! I won’t have enough left to buy more supplies! I’m ru-hi-hi-hi-hined!” she tearfully hugged Spike who replied by patting her gently on the head.

“Rarity, we all feel for you, but we’ve got bigger things to worry about right now.” said Twilight in a tired voice.

“Ah jus’ don’t get it… How in the Hay did he jus’ disappear like that?” asked Applejack as she scratched her head beneath her Stetson. “Ah thought ya’ll said he ain’t magical.”

“And he’s not!” said Twilight. She rubbed her brow and took a deep breath before explaining. “Listen girls. Just before we reached him I sensed magic. Somepony used magic to teleport Alex away from us. Powerful magic…”

“Teleport? To where?” asked Applejack.

Twilight sighed. “I don’t know…”

“So… That’s it? We just give up and go home?” asked Rainbow Dash as she hovered over Twilight slightly miffed.

“No! I know of a way to trace it.” Twilight then smiled. “Whoever did this left a HUGE trail and all I need is to find the book with the right spell to track it.” Twilight’s clever smile vanished as she remembered something and facehoofed. “Of course I’m going to have to look through all the books ‘somepony’ carelessly left all over the floor of my library.” She revealed the huge mess of books that still littered the floor as she eyed accusingly at Rainbow.

“Don’t cha’ worry non Twilight! We’ll help ya find the book yer after. Strength in numbers n’ all, am Ah right?” said Applejack.

“WE’LL HELP TOO!” said the Cutie Mark Crusaders in unison.

“I’ll help!” Fluttershy joined in. “Um… …too, I mean…”

Rarity dried her tears and pulled herself together. “Sniff! Well, I suppose I might help you as well. If it means getting my Alexander back, then I’ll do anything.” Twilight frowned a bit at that, seeing as she wanted Alex back for herself.

“We’ll cross that bridge when we get there…”

“Count me out girls!” said Pinkie Pie, earning a surprised look from them all. “I’d love to help, but I’ve gotta see a mare about a horse!” she winked. Rainbow, listening to what Pinkie was saying, suddenly got an idea of her own.

“Yeah!” Everyone eyed Rainbow Dash as she swooped over and touched down beside Pinkie. “Me too! I also have to see a mare about a certain… something.”

“Like what?” asked Pinkie.

Rainbow blinked a few times. “Uh... A... dog..?”

“You don’t have a dog, Rainbow…” said Twilight, curious about their intentions.

Rainbow looked at her and Pinkie Pie. “Well… I have a turtle. That’s… kinda like having a dog, right? Squee!” Before Twilight could even answer that, both Pinkie and Rainbow Dash had rushed out the door. “DON’T LEAVE WITHOUT US!”

“But…” Twilight sighed. “Never mind, let’s just get to work finding that book...”

*****

Back in Canterlot...

“What do you mean the restaurant is closed? It’s the middle of the afternoon!” a unicorn stallion argued as he and his wife had been looking forward to dine at the Golden Horn Restaurant, only to find it closed and its entrance guarded by Luna’s guards.

“I’m sorry Sir. But this restaurant is currently occupied. Princess Luna’s orders.”

“Princess Luna? Why?”

“She’s dining with a… Cough! ‘special guest’…”

“Special Guest..? Who?”

*****

Inside the empty restaurant, Luna watched with silent amusement as Alex happily stuffed his face. She had secretly snuck him inside while politely ordering the customers and staff to leave, thus ensuring that they wouldn't be disturbed. She couldn’t help but be amazed as he acted as if he hadn’t eaten all day.

Once Alex was finished with the last dish, he leaned comfortably back on the pillow he was sitting on. While everything had been strictly vegetarian meals, he was surprised on how delicious it was. “Man that felt good. You have no idea how hungry I’ve been today. All that running around had really worked up an appetite.”

“I’m glad it was to thy liking young Alex.” said Luna.

“It’s the best meal I’ve had ever since I got here (Not to mention it’s the only decent meal I’ve had). Thank you.”

“My pleasure young Alex” Luna smiled. She was happy to see him so relaxed and content. She then rose from her pillow. “Now that thou has had thy fill, perhaps you would join me outside? I have something to show thee.”

Alex wondered what she had in mind, but he was thankful of her hospitality to ask any curious questions. She had her guards make sure no pony was about as she guided him towards their destination.

As they were walking, Alex regarded the designs and structures of Canterlot with utter amazement. It was truly a sight to behold. “This place is marvelous Luna! I almost hate to say it, but seeing all this makes me feel like I could stay here forever…”

Hearing how impressed he was with Canterlot and its décor, Luna smiled as she continued to guide him towards the Royal Canterlot Gardens. ‘Soon thou just might…’

*****

Once they reached the Gardens, Alex was impressed by how pretty it was. He was also amazed by the multiple statues that decorated the garden. Next to the garden was the entrance to a hedge-maze.
Luna gestured her guards to return to their duties and leave her and Alex alone. Once they were gone, she guided him further into the garden, passing several more sculptures before they reached a solitary 3 foot pillar.

“As promised young Alex, I said I would aid thee.”

“Aid me how?”

“To bring you home.”

“Really? You’re going to send me home?” asked Alex hopefully.

“Yes.”

This news filled Alex with much joy. Finally he would get home. He didn’t ask how she would do it, but he didn’t care as long as it meant he could finally leave this beautiful world of crazy ponies.

“My only request is that you stand on that pillar. Do so and I shall cast the spell to send thee home.” She raised her hoof and pointed at the empty pillar. Seeing no harm in it, Alex stepped up to the pillar. Luna backed away and readied herself to perform the spell. “Alex, would thou be kind as to pose for me?”

Alex was a little curious about why she needed him to pose. But, if it meant him being sent home, he decided to humor her by doing so. He straightened himself and smiled. “Like this?”

“Hm… No.”

He did a thoughtful pose. “Like this?”

“No.”

He made a kung fu pose. “Like this? Hiya~!”

“No.”

“How about this?” He raised his right arm, placed the left on his chest and took the pose of an opera singer.

“Heavens! NO!” Luna grimaced as it reminded her of someone she didn’t want to remember.

“This?” Alex made a pose that made him look proud and noble.

“Yes! That’s it! Now hold still…”

As Luna closed her eyes and charged her magic, Alex held his pose. He then noticed a bird chirping behind him and took a quick glance too admire its beauty before returning to his pose. Just then, he noticed his shoe was untied. Not wanting to go back home with an untied shoe, he bent down to tie it.

ZAP!

“Whoops! Sorry! I was just tying my shoe and…” Alex suddenly realized that something was wrong. He turned to look at the bird again and instead saw a statue of the same bird in its place. The branch holding the statue broke under its weight and it fell to the ground intact. “Luna… What was-?” Luna suddenly charged up another spell, and cast it.

ZAP!

Opening her eyes, she went wide-eyed as Alex was nowhere to be seen. In his place was a smoking scorch mark. She was quickly relieved however as Alex peered out from behind the pillar.

“ARE YOU CRAZY!?!” yelled Alex.

“Get back on the pillar and resume thy position young Alex!” demanded Luna, suddenly replacing her warm tone to a slightly harsh and nervous one. Alex refused and held up the petrified bird.

“Did you do this? What are you doing? I thought you were going to send me home!”

“Apologizes young Alex, but this is your 'home' now.” said Luna.

“What?”

Luna sighed. “Young Alex... There is a reason why thou art here. Why thou came to Equestria. It was my doing! I brought thee here!”

“SAY WHAAAAT?!?”

~~*~~

Last night in Canterlot…

Princess Luna trotted into her bedroom after another long and wonderful night. With only hours before sunrise, she had once again marveled ponies (those who were still awake that is) with her wondrous nighttime spectacle. Ever since her return from banishment, she had been admired and praised by her subjects more so than she could ever have imagined.

‘Ugh! I’m SO bored…’

She threw herself onto her bed and moaned. As much as she loved her subjects, she couldn’t deny the fact that she was bored out her mind. It was just the same thing over and over. She longed for Nightmare Night and counted the days on her calendar.
‘Months away… Sigh!’ She buried her face in the pillow. ‘What else is there for a Princess of the Night to do that’s not so… ‘princessy’?’

At times Luna wished she could amass an army and just parade out of Canterlot and conquer something, just to keep things interesting. She didn’t care if it was a tiny slab of rock or some insignificant grain of sand, at least she would have something new to do.
She got up and trotted over to her mirror. She looked herself in it and sighed. “Is this how my life is now..? Is this what I’ve been reduced to..?” While she was happy she had regained the trust and love of Equestria, she couldn’t help but remember the old days. When things were simpler… More fun…

She would often recollect back to the days before Nightmare Moon, back in the days when she did more than just raise the moon and protect the dreams of her subjects. There was even a time when she and Celestia would go out hunting together. It wasn’t a cruel or callous sport, but rather a joyful experience as they tracked down exotic animals for miles to see which of them would get them first. She remembered the thrills and the joys of getting a lot of animals for the gardens back in those days. Sadly those times had changed.

With a sigh, she left her room and trotted down the empty corridors of the castle. Many of the Canterlot staff was asleep and so she pretty much had the corridor all to herself. ‘Perhaps a visit to the Canterlot Archives in the Starswirl wing will ease my restless spirit..?’

It didn’t take long for her to reach the entrance to the archives. As she was about to enter, she noticed the lights were on. Curious, she sneaked a peek inside and saw to her surprise her sister Celestia standing in front of a familiar-looking mirror, studying it while at the same time taking notes. She seemed to be thrilled and excited about something. She then noticed that she was talking to one of her pegasi captains, Captain Fury Feather.

“…I’ve never been more certain in my life Captain. Once I solve this problem, it will mark a glorious day for all of Equestria. I trust you understand the importance of this and why it must remain a secret?”

“Yes your Highness. And as soon you give the word, I will have our forces stand ready.”

“Excellent Captain. I heartily believe that ‘Operation Stormbreaker’ will be a huge success…”

Luna was now more curious. She then noticed both of them coming towards her and she quickly hid behind a column as they came out of the room.

“That will be all for now. You may return to your quarters Captain, and thank you for coming.”

“My pleasure. Good night, your Highness.” he bowed.

As Fury Feather disappeared down the corridor back to his quarters, Luna watched carefully as Celestia locked the door with her magic before returning to her Bed Chamber.
With both of them gone, Luna returned to the door. Using her magic, Luna quietly unlocked it and cantered inside.

Once inside, Luna eyed the mirror. She trotted up to it and seemed to recognize the design pattern of Starswirl himself. It resembled another magic mirror but this one was different.

Luna then eyed the scrolls and parchments on the table next to her and looked them over. She learned that Starswirl didn’t just create one, but two mirrors. The first one was made to cross between alternate realities. This mirror was supposedly meant to allow travel between vast distances across time and space, like some kind of interplanetary stargate.
She learned that the mirror was never fully completed and many secrets to allow instantaneous space travel had disappeared along with Starswirl. Judging from what she had just seen moments ago, Celestia had been trying to complete his work with much vigor.

‘Operation Stormbreaker..? Sister, what art thou up to..?’

Her eyes then widened as she read further. While the mirror didn’t allow travel, it did allow the viewer to SEE worlds. And apparently Celestia had discovered one. With life!

Luna was amazed by this news and felt compelled to see this new world herself. She had always wondered what life lived amongst the stars, far beyond the reach of Equus.
Luna stood in front of the mirror. She didn’t really know what she was hoped to see or if there ever was anything in there worth seeing at all, but she figured it wouldn’t do any harm in checking it out.

Nothing seemed to happen at first. She touched it but it felt just like any other mirror. Narrowing her eyes, she concentrated deeper. Her horn glowed and it seemed to trigger something. The reflecting image of Luna suddenly disappeared and it began to swirl around and around like a vortex.

There was a bright flash and an image suddenly appeared in the mirror. Luna’s eyes grew wide with awe as she beheld this strange planet in the mirror. It looked like Equestria but the continents didn’t match.

Using her horn, she zoomed in on the planet, narrowing down on one of its cities.

*****

A small magical sphere descended down from the sky and hovered above the city. Through it, Luna spied down on the aliens below. Luna was captivated by what she saw. Strange bipedal creatures were walking to and fro on their hind legs, completely without hooves of any kind. Strange mechanical wagons, driven by the same beings inside, traveled on concrete roads and marvelous technology was used everywhere. As she floated closer she could hear the sound of traffic and the honks of horns. The mirror apparently made it possible to hear as well as see.

She could also clearly see there was no magic in this world. Everything seemed to run on its own. The mere thought of a world working completely without magic seemed almost unheard of. What fascinated her more were the creatures themselves. These ‘humans’ (she later found out through Celestia’s documents) was nothing like she had ever seen before.

Compelled to learn more, Luna floated down unseen to find a specimen worthy of study. She floated up to a young boy. ‘That one is too young.’ She then floated over to an elderly man. ‘Too old…’ Luna floated passed a young woman who seemed like a good candidate.

“ACHOO!”

‘Clearly that one has a nasty cold.’

She spotted a human Mime as he tried, and failed, to entertain other humans at a street corner on a small stage. ‘Impressive, but that one’s just silly!' She watched as the Mime seemed to trap himself inside a box. She looked through the documents again. ‘That’s amazing! And Tia’s certain they don’t have any magic..?’

She floated passed a café where a fancy human sat and daintily sipped in some tea. ‘Too stiff and uptight. As if Canterlot didn’t have enough of those already….’ As she drifted further down the street, her eyes then widened as she saw another human inside a window of a Clothes Shop, standing tall and proud in stunning clothes. “That’s it! That one looks about right!” She flew in to look more closely at him, only to discover it was a lifeless mannequin. ‘Shoot…’

She saw a human who strutted down the street with a wide grin, sunglasses and an outfit that seemed to blind her with sparkling décor. Luna shielded her eyes. ‘Too flashy…’ She suddenly eyed a human female that jogged passed her and into a nearby park. She followed the young woman. She was impressed by how fit she was and wondered if this was a keeper. ‘Tis one might do…’

Sudddenly the female tripped over her own legs and fell clumsily into a mud puddle, soaking everyone and everything around her.“Sorry…” the mud soaked young woman smiled weakly as other mud-covered humans glared at her.

'…if she wasn’t too splashy...’ Luna rolled her eyes as she shook the mud of the sphere. She decided to continue her search elsewhere.

Much Later…

‘Too short… Too tall… Too clean… T- Yeesh! Too smelly!’ She couldn’t smell the human, but the sight of him was enough to make her nostrils flare up just imagining it. ‘That one is clearly obsessed with jelly…’ Luna slowly drifted away and tried to ignore a human who hid in a bush and indulged himself with several jars of jelly, without a single slice of bread.

‘*Sigh!* So many choices, and yet neither of them seems to…’ Suddenly, her ears perked as she heard strange but amusing noises. Looking around the park, she couldn’t see where it came from. She floated higher up to get a better view and finally spotted a young human wearing a backpack while holding a small device in his hands, lost in own thoughts. He had blond, yellow streaked hair, blue jeans and yellow shirt with a dark green jacket.

Luna was able to maneuver close enough to get a good look at the game. It looked like some kind of ‘pocket monster’ game and right now the character the human was playing was in the middle of collecting a cute monster that he imprisoned in some sort of tiny sphere.

‘Is that a game? How delightfully amusing!’ giggled Luna impressed. It reminded her of the games she had seen during her… ‘Royal Visits’ to the Ponyville Arcade. ‘I would very much love to try that.’

*****

Alex paused his game and looked around. He had this weird feeling that he was being watched. Looking at the passing pedestrians, he couldn’t see anyone suspicious. Believing it only to be his imagination, Alex merely shrugged and continued playing, unaware of the small sphere that followed him.

He walked until he reached some benches were he could sit down. He put down his backpack and sat down. He put the game aside for a while and lay back comfortably as he looked up into the sky, letting his thoughts wander a bit.

He didn’t notice the bright sphere that still followed him, now hovering behind him and quietly observing him.

‘Such a beautiful day…’ he thought as he watched the clouds drift across the sky. ‘It’s SO boring..! Sigh! Sometimes I wish something interesting would happen in my life…’ He yawned, stretched his arms and decided to take a short nap.

*****

‘This is no fun…’ Luna pouted. She was miffed that the human had decided to end his game so soon. She had really wanted him to play some more. Now it seemed as if he was sleeping. “Ugh! BORING! Hey you! Wake up! Wake up and entertain me! Thy princess demands it!” There was no reaction.

TAP! TAP! TAP!

She tapped on the mirror but there was no reaction. “Hey! Hey wake up! Oh for Celestia’s sake..!” She then inhaled.

“WAKE UP!!”

*****

“WAKE UP!”

“GAH!”

Alex was suddenly startled from his short snooze and quickly got up on his feet, awake and alert. He looked frantically around. There didn’t seem to be anything out the ordinary. Alex was confused. He didn’t know why, but it sounded like someone was calling to him… “Wha..? Who?”
Alex scratched his head. ‘Must’ve been a dream…’

Deciding not to sleep any further, Alex pulled up his backpack and went through it. He pulled out a folder and opened it to reveal drawings inside. Alex pulled them out and started looking over them.

*****

Luna covered her mouth as she realized she had inadvertently used her Royal Canterlot Voice. She nervously looked around the room, expecting Celestia or some guard to suddenly storm in and demand what was happening. Listening quietly, there didn’t seem to be anypony approaching.

“Heavy sleepers…” she muttered relieved.

She then turned her attention back to the mirror and was now curious. She thought the mirror only allowed silent observation, but somehow this human heard her. ‘He heard me… He actually heard me! But if that’s true then…’
While she pondered on it, she then noticed the human was now going through some papers. Luna watched as he pulled out something that looked like drawings.

Her eyes widened…

*****

Alex looked over some drawings he had made in Art Class. He held up one drawing of a beautiful horse emerging from a dark lake in a deep dark forest, with the moon reflecting on its still surface as the light bathed it in a supernatural glow.

‘Another rejection… Sigh!’ He then looked at his follow-up drawing of the same horse expect now it was jumping back into the lake with a child on its back. ‘Seriously, I really don’t get that art teacher and his ‘clown’ obsessions. I don’t see what's wrong with horses…’

Alex packed them up and sighed. ‘Sigh! Fresh out of High school, bad grades, no job and still living with my parents… Maybe I should just give up on this art business and just travel somewhere..?’ He leaned back. ‘Maybe even finally find myself a girl. Sigh! But what girl would want a boring wannabe artist loser like me?’

*****

“I WANT HIM!” Luna shouted as she made up her mind. “This human must share with me his knowledge of games and art! I shall bring him to Equestria and we shall be the bestest of friends!” she squealed with joy.
“Tia will never know he's here. I'll hide him in my room and we'll have so much fun together. I'm certain he'll love to know me!” she smiled, overconfident that her idea might work.

Luna looked through the documents over and over and sadly all seemed to say the same thing. The mirror simply didn’t have the ability to allow anypony or anything to pass through. She then thought about how the human was able to hear her. Somehow her voice was able to pass through…
Wait! That was it! Her VOICE! Her Royal Canterlot Voice! Somehow it tore the dimensional barrier that kept her away from the humans. It only lasted a few seconds, but was enough to remain open just long enough for the sound to get through. She theorized that if she was able to raise her voice slightly higher, it would shatter the barrier completely and allow her to nab the human with her magic.

It sounded like it might actually work. She just needed to be close enough to the human so that he wouldn’t have time to get away.

*****

Luna decided to go for it and carefully guided the sphere around the bench, floating silently towards him. Alex was too lost in his thoughts to notice her as she settled down beside him. ‘Perfect!’ she began to inhale.

“Excuse me. Is this seat taken?”

A shadow suddenly descended upon the bench as Luna saw something blocked out the sun. “HEY! WHA-!”

SQUASH!

“GAH! Off! Hey what gives?” Alex shouted annoyed as he was pushed out of his seat by an rather obese man who took up more space than the bench would allow. “Excuse me Sir, but I was sitting there!”

“Sorry kid, I need this seat.” he replied rather rudely. “And once I sit down, I won’t be moving any time soon, so too bad for you.”

Alex grumbled at the rude man. Still, he didn’t bother arguing with him as he felt rested enough and decided to continue on his way.

Muffled noises were ‘not’ heard behind the unaware man as Luna struggled to get free. She eventually managed to squeeze out of the man’s back.

POP!

Luna hovered weakly around for a bit before she managed to surpress that awful experience. “I’ve seen the dark side of the moon but never have I witnessed something so…” She glared daggers at the obese human and wanted so much to teach him a lesson on not to sit on royalty. But then she discovered that Alex had left. She quickly left the bench and flew over the park to search for him.

She eventually spotted him leaving the park and smirked. “Thou got lucky this time, but I have other methods…”

*PETER GUNN THEME PLAYING*

Alex was walking peacefully through the park. Luna flew ahead of him. She ducked down and peered out from beneath some bushes next to some girls playing tennis and saw him approach. She waited until he was close enough.
As Alex approached, Luna was ready to spring the trap…

PONG!

“Oh no. Too high!”

RUSTLE!

Something suddenly burst into the bush and rolled up beside her. Luna glanced at it and saw it was a tennis ball, just as big as the sphere. Before she knew what was happening, she saw fingers wrapping themselves around the sphere and she was pulled out of the bushes.

“AH! UNHOOF ME!”

“I got it!” shouted the girl that had pulled Luna out of the bushes. She had mistaken her for the tennis ball. “Okay! My Serve!” She tossed Luna into the air, ready to swing her racket.

“WHAT? WAIT! I’M NOT A- !”

PONG!

“AAAAH~!” Unable to fly away, Luna found herself being served across the court at great speed.

PONG!

“STOP-”

PONG!

“THIS-”

PONG!

“AT-”

PONG!

“ONCE!”

PONG!

Her protests unheard, Luna watched helplessly as she was served to and fro while her human wandered away from her. “Don’t think thou art safe! I’ll Urk! get thee… Glp! yet…Urp!” Luna held her mouth and seemed to turn green. While she was glad she wasn’t actually there, she still couldn’t help feeling nauseous all the same.

PONG!

*****

Luna hovered over a small crowd of humans as they all watched with curiosity (or rather boredom) at the Mime she had seen before, busily working up some of his ‘magic’ again. Alex was standing in the front.
“There he is.” smiled Luna. “If I can only get close enough without losing him again…” She then eyed his backpack.
“There! I’ll just slip into his ‘saddlebag’ and once we’re alone, he’ll be mine.” She carefully floated down towards the crowd, sneaking up behind them and worming her way past them. Luckily for her, all the humans seemed too distracted by the Mime’s wizardry to pay her any attention.

Alex yawned as the Mime pretended to pull an imaginary rope that led up into the sky, failing largely at it. He could do a better mime acting than that.
“Why don’t you try something else?” Alex asked tiredly. The Mime stopped, let go of the ‘rope’ and playfully thought for a moment. He then smiled and began to juggle. There was only one problem. He was juggling nothing!

“Here!” a man in the crowd suddenly threw an orange he had. The surprised Mime caught it and juggled it.

“Over here!” shouted a kid who threw a baseball at him, and the Mime caught that one too.

“Now that’s juggling!” another man in the audience laughed, causing more to laugh as well.

While all that was happening, Luna had finally reached Alex’s backpack and silently slipped inside. “There! Now I just have to-”

“Here!” shouted a man behind Alex who suddenly reached into the backpack and pulled Luna out.

“Gah! What the-? Unhoof me!” before she could realize what was happening, Luna was flung straight at the Mime, who caught her and included her in his juggling act. Luna almost became dizzy as the image in the mirror swirled around and around. “What is this? Stop this at once!”

The Mime, clearly not amused by the antics of his audience, stopped and casually dropped the items in his hands onto the stage. He then used his hands to form an invisible box around himself. Feeling safe, the Mime stuck his tongue out at the audience and taunted them.

Alex cocked an eyebrow. ‘Who does he think he’s fooling..?’

Luna, who witnessed this, was not pleased by this action. “No! I’m trapped! Remove this box at once!”

Having seen enough, the lightly amused audience dispersed. Alex merely shrugged and walked off down the street.

“No! He’s getting away! Release me at once, you sorcerer!” shouted Luna, who’s voice sadly fell on deaf ears. Fuming, Luna inhaled.

“RELEASE ME AT ONCE!”

The Mime was suddenly startled by the strange voice and looked around in confusion.

“Hey!” The Mime then turned towards the new sound and suddenly received a tomato in the face by a bearded man standing by a grocery stand. “Get off the stage!” The glowering Mime silently wiped the tomato off his face and, with a silent ‘Hmph’, walked off with what little dignity he had left.

“It worked! Huzzah! I’m free!” Finally free, Luna flew up into the sky and swirled around a bit before once again scouting out for Alex. Much to her surprise however, he was nowhere to be found. “Gone again!” Annoyed, she flew off in search for him. “Where did he go? WHERE DID HE GO?”

*****

Alex was standing by the window of a Clothes Shop, looking at the fancy and expensive tuxedos. He pictured himself in one of those suits and smiled with amusement. ‘Don’t think I’ll ever be caught wearing that…’

Close by, hiding behind a fire hydrant, was Luna. She had escaped the life of a tennis ball and had caught up with him. She watched Alex as he stood there unaware of her presence. “There art thou, my little human.” she smiled. “Now I’ll just float over to his legs and…”

“SNIFF! SNIFF!”

Luna turned and noticed a dog was sniffing the sphere. “Away ye filthy beast! Don’t bother me!” she yelled. The dog flinched as it seemed to have heard her. Then it playfully waged its tail and panted. “No..! OH NO! Don’t ye dare consider it!”

“BARK! BARK!”

“AAAAAAH! KEEP AWAY! I’M THE PRINCESS OF NIGHT! NOT SOME STUPID BALL!” She bounced away past Alex with the dog chasing her.

“BARK! BARK!

“Did you hear something?” Alex asked a man beside him.

“Hear what?”

Alex then shrugged “Hm… It was probably nothing…”

*****

Luna grumbled as she floated through the air down the street, not caring of hiding anymore as some humans walking past her suddenly gawked at the strange floating orb with disbelief.

‘Buried like some common bone. If I ever see that mutt again I’ll pick his…’ she then paused as she suddenly spotted Alex walking on the sidewalk across the street from her. “Huzzah! I’ve found thee! No more hiding, time for the direct approach!" She shook off the dirt and flew at high speed towards him, readying her Canterlot Voice and finally bring him to Equestria.

'Ooh! A dime!' Alex bent down to pick up a coin he noticed lying on the sidewalk, making Luna miss her target and fly straight into an alleyway. She found herself on a collision course with a brick wall.

“GAH! PULL UP! PULL-!”

BANG!

The sphere bounced off the wall and rolled up to a homeless man who was resting behind some garbage cans, enjoying his bottle until he felt something touch his leg.

“What’s this?” he curiously picked it up and looked at it with fascination. “Man… Looks pretty valuable... Maybe I can trade it for a new bottle..?”

Luna fumed. “Who knew catching some human would prove so difficult? I’VE HAD JUST ABOUT ENOUGH OF THIS!”

The sphere suddenly glowed intensely and almost burned the homeless man’s hand. “WOAH! MAN! That stung!” The man shook and blew on his hand, unaware that the sphere was now rolling out of the alleyway, knocking into Alex's shoe.

Looking down, Alex finally noticed the sphere next to his leg. “Strange…” he muttered. “Hm… Where did this come from?” he picked it up and curiously looked at it. It felt weird and it seemed to emit a warm, yet unnatural glow.

He suddenly had that feeling that he was being watched again. He looked around but could see no one but a homeless man in the alleyway. Looking closely at the sphere, Alex could suddenly see the faint image of a horse with a horn and wings looking back at him with wide eyes. ‘Did… Did it just..?’

Luna blinked as she found herself face to face with Alex. After all her efforts, she was stunned to realize how easy this now was. She now had him right where she wanted him. Inhaling a deep breath, she charged her horn and was ready...

*****

“…Are you sure you’ve looked everywhere?” Celestia asked her guards, sounding very worried.

“We’ve looked everywhere, your Majesty.” one earth-pony guard answered. “She’s not in her Bed Chamber and she’s not in the Look-Out Tower. She’s not even in the Throne Room.”

“This is really troubling…” Celestia got more worried. “It’s almost dawn and the moon hasn’t set yet. Where could she be..?”

Suddenly, a loud voice echoed throughout the halls of the castle. All the guards covered their ears and threw themselves to the floor in agony as it got louder. Furniture began to shake and windows and pottery nearly shattered.
All of Canterlot seemed to tremble as the noise intensified. It was so powerful that it even shook one of the guard's armor off.

“Is it an earthquake?” asked one of the frightened guards.

“That voice…” Recognizing it, Celestia stormed off to find the source.

*****

“Hey man! Give that back! I found it first!” yelled the homeless man as he spotted Alex with his sphere.

Before Alex could react, the sphere’s glow suddenly intensified and vibrated out of his hand. As it landed on the ground, a loud, ear-piercing shout exploded from it. Both Alex and the homeless man covered their ears as the horrible sound echoed through the alleyway. More humans outside the alleyway covered their ears as well.
Suddenly, the sphere exploded into a much bigger sphere, knocking over Alex as it bathed the alleyway in a bright light while garbage and paper flew about in an unnatural wind.

“On second thought man… It’s yours! You keep it!”

Looking at it in fright, Alex suddenly saw the shadowy silhouette of the same horse, with its glowing white eyes locked on to him. “What the..?!?”
It then reared and unfolded its wings. Unable to move, Alex was suddenly engulfed by the light and disappeared. The wind died down as the sphere shrank down to its normal size before suddenly vanishing without a trace. All that remained was Alex's backpack.

POFF!

The entire street was quiet. Everyone just stood there, unable to say or do anything as the sight they all just witnessed had rendered them utterly speechless. Even the Mime, who just happened to be there at the time, was more quiet than ever.
The homeless man, who saw the whole thing at close hand, stood and blinked several times in bewilderment before looking at his bottle, which he then emptied on the ground seconds later.

“That’s it man! I’m off the hooch!”

~~*~~

Present…

Alex couldn’t believe what he was hearing. “That light! That strange horse! That was you? You KIDNAPPED me? You’re the reason I’ve been trapped in this nightmare?”

Luna shamefully nodded.

Alex then remembered what she said earlier; The Keeper of Dreams. “And back when I had that dream. That was you as well?”

“Yes…”

He shook his head in mixed confusion and anger. “But WHY? And why me? What makes me so special?”

“I… It’s… Do I need to have a reason? It is quite common for royalty to get what they desire.” said Luna, trying to justify her actions. She then sighed. “In truth, I could’ve picked any human, but I chose thee because thou art by far the most intriguing and interesting specimen I’ve ever seen. I just knew thou would be perfect for me.”

“TO BECOME YOUR LATEST STATUE?!? THAT MAKES NO SENSE!!!”

“My sister would never allow me to keep thee otherwise. My plan was to bring thee here and have ye placed here in our garden without my sister's knowledge. I would explain to her that I failed and that I in my grief had you carved out and placed here as a reminder of my failure. That way she would never suspect and I would keep thee safe.”
She struggled to keep back a tear. “Please Alex, I’m doing this to PRESERVE you. Thou would never survive in Equestria.”

“I’m still here aren’t I?”

“Alex… This world is not just ponies and rainbows. Equestria has evil and beasts that would make the dangers of thy world pale by comparison. Thou hast no magic and thou have survived purely by fortune alone. Please young Alex, accept this and thou shall not feel pain or sadness. Thou shall never grow old or sick. Never go hungry or thirsty. Thou would remain safe in our garden and silently admired by everypony… ”

While Alex hated to admit it, she did make a good argument. Still he wasn’t thrilled about the whole statue idea. Being turned to stone once by a Cockatrice wasn’t exactly pleasant. He was unable to see or think. It was as if his life had ceased entirely. Those thoughts alone scared him. Bottom line, he wanted to go home! Not become a lifeless statue to by ogled by ponies for all eternity.

“I understand thy fears young Alex…” continued Luna. “…but trust me when I tell thee, that this is only for the best. Thou would never have a normal life here. Thou told me back in the restaurant how everypony chased and tormented thee. I’m offering thee a way out. As a statue, thou will not be bothered by anypony ever again...”

“I would be a prisoner…” Alex said with sadness in his voice. It made Luna’s heart ache. She knew that was somewhat true. “Please your Highness, I just want to go home…”

“Alex…” Luna sighed. “I can’t.”

“What do you mean?”

~~*~~

Last night, minutes before dawn…

Luna felt Alex’s presence in the mirror. Concentrating deeply now, she steadily worked her magic as she guided Alex closer to their world.

“Luna? Are you in here?” Celestia peered inside the Royal archives and saw Luna sitting in front of the mirror. “There you are! Thank goodness, I was so worried! We’ve been looking all over for you. It’s almost dawn and you’re…”

“Closer… Just a bit closer now…”

“Luna?”

Luna, now realizing she wasn’t alone, turned around and was surprised to see Celestia standing by the doorway.

“Tia?”

“Luna… What are you…?”

“I can explain! I-”

SPARKLE! FZZT!

Suddenly, the mirror started to glow and shake violently. Sparks emitted from it and soon the whole room began to shake. Luna backed away from the mirror in horror.

“Wha-?”

“LUNA! WHAT IN EQUESTRIA DID YOU DO?!?”

BANG! RUMBLE! SPARKLE! FZZT!

The mirror shook more violently as the glow intensified and sparks of lightning shot out of it. The frame began to seethe with smoke.
Suddenly the light just went out and the mirror went dark and silent, as if it had crashed. Luna and Celestia carefully approached the mirror while keeping a safe distance from it.

“Luna... What-”

POW!

Suddenly, a ball of white energy, no bigger than a tennis ball, shot straight out of the mirror and began ricocheting around the room like a runaway rubber ball, knocking down books and scrolls and nearly hitting the regal sisters. Luna eyed the ball and recognized its magical signature. It was Alex. He had passed through!

“What in the-?!”

“It’s alright sister! I’ve got it! I-” She tried to lock on to him with her magic, but he bounced around to quickly and it wasn’t long before he found the door. “NO! COME BACK!” yelled Luna as she chased him.

“Luna?” Celestia galloped after her.

Despite her speed, Luna was unable to catch up to him as he bounced down and about the corridor. She followed him until he reached the end. In a desperate attempt to catch him, she threw herself towards him, missing and watched helplessly as Alex burst out of a window and vanished in the direction of Ponyville. “NO!”

“LUNA!” Luna's ears flattened and she bit her lips nervously as she turned to see her sister standing behind her, scowling at her. “What was that? What happened?” Seeing her sister being somewhat reluctant to say anything, Celestia trotted over and scowled at her some more. “Luna..? Is there something you want to tell me?”

Luna nervously smiled and giggled. “Ahehe… Sister… I can explain…”

Shortly after having lowered the moon to make way for the day, Luna spent the entire morning in the archives explaining to Celestia what had happened. Celestia, having listened to every word, was deeply disappointed.

“Luna! How could you do something so reckless? Do you have any idea what you’ve done?”

“I…”

“I’ve spent months trying to find a safer way passed the magical barrier. What you did was careless and dangerous! You’re just lucky this human made it through intact, otherwise he would’ve been permanently trapped in limbo!” Luna cringed at that thought. Celestia used her magic to study the mirror. There was a quiet moment before Celestia spoke again with some relief in her voice.
“It’s still working, but the damage is done. I’m afraid the human is now permanently trapped in Equestria thanks to you.” Luna’s ears dropped and she looked away shameful. “But there’s no time for blame. This human is now possibly in terrible danger. Find him and bring him to me at once. I’ll remain here and hopefully mend the damage you’ve caused.” she finished with a hint of annoyance in her voice.

“Understood sister.” said Luna as she quietly left the archives, leaving Celestia alone with the mirror.

‘I’ll find him sister… But thou shall not take him away from me…’

~~*~~

Present...

“I was only able to pull thee into Equestria by chance. My sister would never risk sending thee back without endangering thy life. I’m sorry to say this, but thou art stuck here forever...”

Alex hung his head in silent grief. If what she said was true, he was forever trapped in Equestria with no possible hope of returning home.

Luna moved closer. Alex kept the pillar firmly between them. “I’m really sorry about all this, but this for thy own good. Please, step up on the pillar.” Alex didn’t move. “Alex… I’m an alicorn. I possess great magic and I can move the very moon itself. Thou understand what I’m saying?”

Alex said nothing but he knew what she meant. If her magic was as powerful as she claimed, then Twilight’s magic dwarfed by comparison. She could just levitate him out from his hiding place and turn him to stone so easily, but she didn’t want to look like a monster doing it.

“Please?” she pleaded.

Alex was conflicted. He knew he was trapped. Seeing no other choice, Alex slowly emerged from behind the pillar and climbed up.

“Good…” said Luna with some relief as Alex assumed his position. “Now hold still. This shall be quick…” she whispered while charging up the spell.

Alex braced himself for the inevitable. He couldn't believe this was actually happening. He was to be turned to stone and nothing could save him. It was only him and the princess. Alone. No guards… No-

A thought occurred to him and he had an idea. What was the name again?

“IS THAT CELESTIA?!”

“WHAT?!?” Luna wing’s flared as she jumped. She seized her magic and turned with a frightened look to where Alex was pointing. “Tia! It’s not what it looks! I…” she stopped as she realized that Celestia wasn’t there. Confused, she turned back towards Alex and saw that the pillar was empty. Looking frantically around, she caught the glimpse of a shadow disappearing inside the hedge-maze.

“Why that little…” Luna muttered annoyed, followed shortly with a tired sigh and a weak smile. She then eyed the petrified bird on the ground and undid her spell.

ZAP!

“Apologies little one.” said Luna and watched as the bird happily flew away. She then trotted towards the maze and smiled. “Guess the game is still on…”

*****

Alex ran through the maze. He had to get as far away from Luna as possible. He was not going to be oversized garden gnome. He had already been there.

Seen from above, his track through the maze was a complete jumble. One moment he was headed one direction, only to be headed back another direction. He would travel down one path, only to somehow go in a circle and come out the way he entered. After several long minutes of running, Alex slowed down and keeled over panting. Alex felt pretty lost in the maze, and hopefully so lost that…

“Thou art pretty fast for someone with only two legs.”

Alex turned and saw Luna standing smiling behind him. How did she find him so fast? Without finding out why, Alex bolted and ran randomly through the maze again. After several more minutes, he stopped and wondered if the coast was clear.

“I dare say this is really fun! I’ve not been on an actual hunt in over a thousand years.”

Watching Luna taking this chase so cheerfully angered him. She was deliberately mocking him. No matter how difficult he made it, she always seemed to find him with ease. Trying to lose her again, Alex exploited every twist and turn he could find. Finally, reaching the end of his rope, Alex collapsed from exhaustion and lay down. After that little marathon, it would be a while before…

“Tired already? Thou art doing so well.”

Alex moaned and looked up as he saw Luna leaning over him. Panicking, he scurried a few feet away from her. “HOW ARE YOU DOING THIS? HOW-?” Luna unfurled her wings. Alex noticed them with a deadpanned expression on his face. “Of course…” he grumbled.

“I admire thy rebellious spirit, Alex. But let’s face the truth. Thou can’t escape this way.” Alex slumped down on the ground and moaned in defeat. Luna victoriously closed her eyes and gloated. “Looks like I win this game! Come Alex, let’s get- huh?” as soon as Luna opened her eyes, Alex was suddenly gone. “What? But where did he- GAH!”

Everything went suddenly dark as Alex threw his jacket over her eyes. During her victory speech, Alex saw his chance and snuck behind her. With his jacket blinding her, Alex quickly mounted her.

“WHAT'S THE MEANING OF THIS?! DISMOUNT ME AT ONCE!!”

She reared and tried to force him off. Alex suddenly kicked his heels against her torso. Shocked by the rudeness of his actions, Luna was even more surprised as she suddenly unfolded her wings and felt the sudden urge to take off with Alex still on her back. She soared blindly through the skies with her ‘rider’ guiding her. Luna was utterly bewildered. His kick had somehow caused a reflex and she was unable to properly counter it. Her actions were practically at his mercy. “How art thou doing this? This is not possible!”
The pair soared clumsily through the skies as Alex made every attempt to force her closer to the ground away from the maze. Once they neared the exit, Alex made one more adjustment to her flight path.

“THANKS FOR THE LIFT!” He removed the jacket and threw himself off Luna, rolling as he landed softly on the grass.

“INSOLENT LITTLE WHELP! I- HUH?”

CRASH!

Looking ahead that split second, Luna crashed head on into one of the few trees in the garden. Pulling himself up from the ground, Alex eyed Luna and nearly keeled over with laughter as Luna was now hanging from the tree with her horn firmly imbedded in it. Seeing the predicament she was in, Luna tried to pull herself free, only for the tree to suddenly fall over.

“Oh no…”

CRASH!

Luna’s horn was still stuck to the tree, but now she was upside-down. “How humiliating…” she grumbled.

Alex put his jacket on and ran away. “See you around, your Highness! Keep your chin up!”

“ALEX! WE DEMAND THOU COME BACK HERE AT ONCE!!!”

She yelled in her Royal Canterlot Voice while trying to free herself. Alex kept running. He had escaped another life of being stone, but only for a short while. Luna would get free eventually and he was still in Canterlot. He had to find a way to escape the city somehow…

“HALT!”

Alex stopped as he suddenly found himself nearly running into a squadron of pony guards. They aimed their spears and kept him from running any further. Alex tried to backtrack, but he was soon intercepted by pegasi guards who blocked his escape routes.
Realizing he was completely surrounded, he raised his hands and surrendered. He then drew his attention to another pony that seemed to glow with the warmth of the sun itself. Her snow-white figure towering over everyone else as she stepped towards him passed her bowing guards, her mane blowing with beautiful celestial colors.

“Goodness! What have we here?”

‘Aw crud…’

Chapter 15: Sibling Rivalry

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Chapter 15: Sibling Rivalry

The white and magnificent pony calmly approached Alex. Like Luna, he saw that she was an alicorn, but she was taller. She wore golden regalia and a golden crown on her head. She had the sun as her cutie mark. There was no doubt in his mind as to who this was. Overcome with fatigue and breathtaking awe, Alex collapsed on his knees and bowed his head low before her, refusing to look her in the eyes.

Surprised by his actions, Celestia remained calm, bowed and introduced herself. “Greetings. I am Princess Celestia. On behalf of all ponykind I wish to welcome you to Equestria. I have wanted to meet you, young Alex.”

She knew his name. Alex was too tired to even bother asking her how. He lowered his head deeper and began to sob.

“Goodness! What’s wrong?” asked Celestia concerned. She slowly approached him, resulting only in Alex crouching further away, still refusing to look at her.

“Just go ahead.” Alex whimpered. “I can’t take it anymore. Just be done with me and make it quick.”

Celestia gently kneeled down beside him and gently wrapped one of her wings around him to comfort him. Alex cringed as he felt her soft feathers touch him. “Dear Alex… Don’t cry. I’m not going to hurt you…”

“Please your Highness, stop!” he sobbed. “You don’t realize what I’ve been through!” His eyes brimming over with tears as he suddenly looked her in the eyes. “What do you want from me? Just say it! Just say it and spare me the lies and deceits.”

“Please Alex. Rise. Dry your tears and be at ease. Please listen to me and believe me when I say that I mean you no harm. I’m here to offer you a chance. ”

Alex dried his tears. “A chance to what..?”

She sat up on her haunches and smiled. “To return home.”

Alex’s eyes widened as he looked up at Celestia as she smiled at him. He began seeing red flags. “I said no more lies! I was fooled once, so I’m not falling for it again!”

“No young Alex. I mean it.” she gently placed her hoof under his chin. “Alex… Look at me and listen… I have the means to send you home.”

Alex looked into her eyes. They seemed sincere. Still Alex wasn’t entirely convinced however, as Luna’s words still echoed in his head. “Home..? My home? My world? You mean… You’re actually going to send me home?”

Celestia widened her smile and nodded.

“But… But I thought… Luna said it was impossible…”

“Last time I spoke to her that was true. The mirror that brought you here was incomplete and did not allow travel in its current state. Her actions could’ve easily placed you in terrible danger had it not been through sheer luck. ” Celestia then stood up. “Yet for her foolish actions, it may have been a blessing in disguise. After you broke through and escaped Canterlot, I studied the mirror in hopes of finding a way to salvage it. What I discovered was an anomaly.”

“An… Anomaly?”

“An anomaly that somehow still connects our world with yours that I even now can still sense around you.” Alex looked at his hands. He couldn’t see anything. “The essence of the mirror’s magic is invisible, but it it’s there and it’s faint. Once Luna pulled you through to our world, it magically attached itself on to you like a tether and kept the gateway open.”

“You mean…”

“Yes Alex. The way back is still open.” she smiled.

Alex listened to every word. It seemed almost too good to be true.

“But, like all tethers, it can be easily severed. I’ve sensed the connection getting weaker. You’ve spent a long time in our world and it won’t be long before the gateway eventually collapses.”
“If you’re not returned through the mirror soon, the gateway will cut the tether and leave you trapped here indefinitely.”

“You mean… I would never return home? Ever?”

“Not forever. But like I said, the mirror was never completed. I myself spent years trying to figure out its secrets. To break through the magical barrier and reopen the gateway back to your world would take years, if not a lifetime.” Alex cringed at that thought.
“This is why I want you to come with me. With my help, I will not only make sure you are safely returned to your world, but also finally solve the secret in breaking the barrier that has kept us from visiting worlds for so long.” she smiled.

Alex was utterly speechless. He was finally going home. He was finally going to escape this pony nightmare!

*‘MORNING MOOD’ PLAYING*

Alex was overjoyed. Finally he was going home. No longer did he have to run. No longer did he have to fear ponies chasing him to use him for degrading and humiliating things. No more would he-

VINYL SCREECH!

“Wait…” he suddenly said. “This isn’t a trick, right? You are sending me home for real, right? Not toying with me just so you can lock me up in some lab, right?”

Celestia blinked. “No?”

“Exploit me so you can make more money?”

She cocked her eyebrow. “Uh…No?”

“Put me in a zoo”

“No.”

“Change me into a pony?”

Celestia looked deadpanned “What…?” Then she shook her head. “I mean… No!”

“Make me your pet and force me to entertain your guests?”

“No!”

“Crush me like a bug?”

“Heavens… NO!”

“Lend me out to school children so they can earn their cutie marks?”

“No…”

“Turn me into a statue so that I may be preserved for all eternity?”

“Oh for ‘me’ sake…!” she facehoofed. “Of course not!”

*MORNING MOOD’ CONT. *

Finally he was going home. He jumped and cheered as imaginary fireworks exploded, signifying his indescribable joy.

“You’re going to help me change your world forever.” said Celestia.

VINYL SCREECH AGAIN!

“What?” Alex froze in mid-air and the fireworks silenced. Dropping back down to the ground, he looked at Celestia. “Change my world? Forever? What do you mean?”

Celestia smiled. “I shall explain. As you know, the mirror was never completed and sadly much of its secrets passed away along with Starswirl. Since that time, I have been using it merely to explore and study the universe, travel farther and beyond anything dreamed up by ponykind. What I didn’t predict, was that I would find life. One day I found it. I found you. I found humanity!”

*****

Meanwhile, in the garden...

POP!

Finally having pulled her horn out of the tree, Luna got back up, shook off the foliage and straightened herself. ‘*Phew!* Am I glad to be rid of that. Now I have to find Alex fast and ‘save him’ before somepony else find him.’

*****

“I’ve seen the Earth you herald from, young Alex. I’ve seen its beauty and breathtaking wonders, but I’ve also seen your people and the toils and hardships you struggle through every day. You are at the mercy of nature and you strive above all to tame it, often with terrible results. I’ve also seen you squabble and fight over land and power, causing unnecessary suffering and grief to the innocent.” Hearing her describe his world made Alex’s heart heavy. Earth was nothing like Equestria and it sounded like she didn’t take too kindly to what they doing.
“With your help I will nullify the barrier and finally open the Earth to Equestria. Once the gateway is fully working, I shall enter your world and reveal myself to your people, guide you all into a bright and better future and spread the friendship and harmony of Equestria throughout your lands.”

Friendship and harmony did sound like a pretty sweet deal. It would be nice reprieve from what he had been through. But for some reason Alex felt uneasy about all that. “That sounds great and all, your Highness. But what if they won’t listen?”

“I’m certain that once our worlds meet, they will listen. When I show them what I and my little ponies can do, I’m confident that they will not resist my offer.” Celestia gestured towards Captain Fury Feather, who cantered up and saluted. “The time has nearly come Captain. Is everything prepared?”

“Yes your Highness! Many of our troops have been called in and we’ll be ready before nightfall!”

“Excellent Captain. You may carry on.”

“Yes your Highness!” Fury Feather saluted and left.

As the Captain galloped away, Alex suddenly had a creepy thought enter his mind. He saw how guards were galloping around, lining up and presenting their arms. Alex had sneaky suspicion as to what was going on and a dreadful thought appeared in his mind…

~~*~~

Alex ran for his life. His city was under siege.

More humans fled passed him as unicorn soldiers marched down streets and rounded up stragglers, using their magic to trap them in inescapable magic bubbles. Some humans would try defending themselves, only to have their attacks deflected by unicorn shields before being disarmed and captured.

Above, pegasi troops manipulated the weather, causing lightning and storms that grounded air-traffic and crippled sea-bearing ships. Some even dove down and fished up escaping humans in nets.

Earth-ponies manipulated the earth, causing earthquakes and floods. Their kicks sent huge boulders across the sky and into buildings while some kicked down buildings with ease. Others herded humans up like livestock.

~~*~~

Alex cringed as everything around him seemed to scream one thing; Invasion!

He could just see it now; Celestia would first try to reason and persuade them to follow her Equestrian teachings. If they refused her offer, she would then invade his world with her army. As advanced as his people were, they would be no match against a race of ponies that could use magic and manipulate nature itself.

Luna herself even said that she could move the moon, and if Celestia was the Princess of the Sun…

~~*~~

He watched as Celestia stood on a mountain top, looking over his city. She then used her horn and, to Alex’s disbelief, magically pulled the sun closer to Earth. She pulls it closer and closer and didn’t stop until the heat became unbearable and cries of surrender and mercy filled the air.

“AAH! NO MORE!!!”

“IT BURNS!!!”

“WHERE’S MY SUN BLOCK?!?”

“COULD YOU BACK IT UP A BIT? YOU'RE RUINING MY TAN!”

“WHOA! THE SUN IS REALLY BRIGHT TODAY! WICKED!”

~~*~~

‘No… That can’t be…’ Alex shook his head. ‘This whole thing sounds like some bad movie plot for a ‘Planet of the Horses’! She can’t possibly be planning this..?’

“If all goes well, you will be seen as a hero to all, Alex.” smiled Celestia.

‘Hero to whom?’ Alex wondered.

“I have to admit that I’m excited!” Celestia said with a giddy tone in her voice. Exciting wasn’t really the word Alex would describe his feelings right now. “I can’t wait to share this news with my faithful student Twilight Sparkle.”

“Twilight? Student? Did… Did you say Tw-?” It then struck him. How could he have forgotten? He remembered back to when he met Twilight…

~~*~~

Shortly after having crashed into the Everfree by that strange light, Alex stared with shock and surprise at the lavender unicorn in front of him as she cleared her throat and presented herself.

“Ahem! Like I said, my name is Twilight Sparkle. I am the faithful student of Princess Celestia, Mistress of the Sun and ruling Monarch of all Equestria. What’s your name?”

~~*~~

How could he have forgotten! She was Twilight’s teacher!

“I’ll wager she’ll be thrilled. I won’t even be surprised if she tells all her friends about this.”

Alex cringed. The mere mentioning of Twilight and her friends made him imagine the most awful and degrading scenes imaginable should they ever find out about his world...

~~*~~

Celestia trotted down the calm streets of the conquered city as her guards moved about to maintain order. She eyed Twilight as she cross-examined a human, with Spike crossing out a checklist beside her.

“There! I think that’s just about enough…”

“My faithful student. I trust you are pleased with your findings?”

“Yes! Thank you so much princess!” said Twilight happily as rows of cages with various trapped humans were carried by guards into the portal leading to Equestria. “Now I have enough humans to complete my work and finally win that Hoofbell!”

“Always a pleasure Twilight.” Celestia smiled as Twilight hugged her. “I look forward to see your presentation.”

*****

Applejack pulled a rope with several tied up humans following her, locking them up in a corral. She pulled off her Stetson to wipe off some sweat.

“Ho-wee! Now Ah got me round up enough humans to start mah own circus!” said Applejack as she looked over her first catch of humans who were now performing various acts and stunts. She was soon joined by Big Mac, who arrived with more tied up humans strapped to his back... “Great work there fellas! Boy Howdy, them sugarcubes are gonna us filthy rich as Filthy Rich!”

“Eeyup!” said Big Mac.

As she looked over their performances, she then eyed a Mime and frowned. “You need work though…”

“How adorably amusing!” said Celestia as she appeared beside them. “I hope to see them perform in Canterlot soon.” Applejack removed her Stetson and bowed.

“Thank ya’ll Princess!”

*****

“This way little ones.” called Fluttershy as she was guiding a group of human children over to Celestia. “It’s okay. Don’t be afraid. Princess Celestia is very nice. She won’t hurt you.” The children looked at Celestia with a mixture of fear and awe.
“Oh Princess! You don’t know how happy this makes me! With this many humans, I can start my own human adoption center. Give these poor little ones a nice home from this harsh world.”

“A pleasure my little pony.”

“Isn’t that adorable?” They turned towards the voice and noticed a mare and her filly approaching. The young filly galloped over and hugged one of the little girls.

“Mommy! I want this one! I promise I’ll take good care of her!”

The little girl was confused. Normally it would be she that wanted a pony, not the other way around.

“A good choice little one.” said Fluttershy with a smile. Celestia smiled as well.

“She won’t be any trouble, will she?” asked the mare.

“Oh no! They were all a bit unruly at first. But after a little stern talking to, they became quiet and timid as sweet little lambs. Right little ones?”

“DON’T STARE AT US!”

*****

“This was a wonderful idea Pinkie.” said Celestia as she inspected a group of humans who had somehow been turned into equestrian ponies. Some just stood around wondering what to do while others had trouble getting used to walking on fours. “Now we’ll have enough ponies to achieve our goal a lot quicker.”

“Not to mention all the great parties we’ll have! Wee~!” Pinkie squealed as she bounced up and down.

One ponified human wearing a business suit looked himself over. “For Pete sake, I’m an accountant! How I am I supposed to type numbers with these?” he raised his hooves.

“Easy! Use this!” replied Pinkie and threw him an abacus. The ponified accountant held up the abacus and was utterly speechless. “I knew you’d love it!”

*****

“Marvelous! Simply marvelous!” Rarity exclaimed as she inspected a line of humans all dressed in fancy attire. “Princess, these humans will make excellent hoofservants for the castle. And I’m certain the Canterlot nobles will benefit nicely having one of these in their households.”

“I’m sure they’ll be in good hooves.” smiled Celestia as she overlooked a noble busily making his selections.

“I believe I shall take this one.” He magically pulled forth a young girl who shivered as he levitated her in the air and inspected her.

“An excellent choice good Sir.” said Rarity as she approached them. “I believe she used to be a manicurist.”

“Wonderful! I was looking for somepony to help me polish these.” He showed them his badly polished and horribly trimmed hooves that made both Rarity and the girl recoil in disgust.

“Um… On the bright side dear, he is a noble.” said Rarity with a forced smiled as she slightly pitied the girl.

The girl grimaced. ‘Oh joy…’

*****

“Ready? NOW!”

KA-BLAM!

Rainbow Dash and a group of pegasi kicked their storm clouds and launched a barrage of lightning bolts that caused many humans to scatter and hide. “Look at them run!” she laughed. “This world is great! So many humans that I can play with!” she smirked while rubbing her hooves.

“What are you doing?” asked Celestia as she flew up to her.

“Nothing! We’re just playing with these humans here. Right fellas!” The other pegasi smiled and nodded. “Right guys?” She scowled at the humans below and they all nervously smiled and nodded, too afraid to answer back.

“Okay, have fun. But please be careful. They’re pretty fragile.”

“Will do!” Rainbow saluted, waiting for Celestia to be gone right before happily sending a bolt that sent more humans to scatter.

KA-BLAM!

“Best World. EVER!” she laughed wickedly.

*****

“Did you make sure it's tight enough?” asked Scootaloo.

“What are you girls doing?” asked Celestia as she approached the Cutie Mark Crusaders. She then saw an elderly human all wrapped up with bandages like a mummy. “My goodness!”

“It’s okay.” said Scootaloo.

“We’re just seeing if we can earn our ‘Human Doctor’ cutie marks.” said Sweetie Belle.

“Playing doctors! How delightfully amusing.” smiled Celestia. “Carry on.”

As soon as she left, the Crusaders drew their attention back to the bandaged human. “No cutie marks yet. Perhaps we gotta do more doctorin’?” said Applebloom.

“Good idea! Sweetie Belle, go fetch a tool box! We’re going for surgeons!”

The bandaged human suddenly went wide eyed and muffled screams of protest.

“CUTIE MARK CRUSADERS; HUMAN SURGEONS! YAY!”

‘This is torture!’ the human mentally groaned in agony. ‘If they’re gonna play surgeons, could they at least remove my ears so I don’t have to listen to THAT again!’

*****

“Now hold still.” said Luna as she cast a petrifying spell on a posing human holding a wooden sword.

ZAP!

“Perfect!” said Luna as she magically levitated the petrified human, placing him next to another human statue holding a similar wooden sword. By now she had sported quite a collection and was proud with herself.

“It’s finally finished! Huzzah!”

“What’s going on Luna?” asked Celestia.

“I finally have enough humans for our new chess game!” She revealed a large oversized chessboard with each chess piece being a petrified human in a look and pose fitting their roles.

“How wonderful! It’s good to see that you’re putting that spell to good use.”

Luna smiled. “Care for a match? I’m not going to let you beat me like last time.”

“I accept.”

*****

Alex was running down the ruined streets. He stopped briefly eyeing a poster on a wall titled ‘Hero of Equestria!’ with a picture of himself standing by and smiling with Celestia with the word ‘TRAITOR’ written over his face with a pencil. He tore it down and continued to run, only to find thousands of similar posters plastered on buildings.

He ran and ran, seeing his whole world being overrun and subjugated by ponies all around him.

“THERE HE IS! THE TRAITOR!” yelled a mob of angry humans. “GET HIM!”

“THERE HE IS! EQUESTRIA’S HERO!” yelled a mob of happy ponies. “GET HIM!”

With the horde of ponies and humans chasing him, Alex eventually managed to lose them by ducking into an alley and hiding inside a trashcan. He waited until they were gone, before looking out to see if the coast was clear.

RUMBLE!

He looked up and saw a giant statute had been magically raised in the middle of the city. It was a statute of himself with Celestia beside him, towering over the city like conquering heroes. He rose out of the trashcan and threw his fists in anger.

“THOSE MANE-IACS! THEY BLEW IT UP! CURSE THEM! CURSE THEM ALL TO HE-OFF!” he was suddenly pushed out of the trashcan by a familiar homeless man.

“This is my house! Get your own!” he yelled before slamming the lid back on.

“There you are Alex!” Alex cringed as he heard Celestia voice behind him. He turned and saw her standing a few feet away. “I’ve been looking all over for you! We can’t hold a celebration of our victory without you.”

She used her magic to levitate him off the ground and he helplessly floated towards her.

“Thanks to you, this world will soon bask in the glory that is Harmony. Come hero. Come and join us!”

“No! NO!”

~~*~~

“NOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!”

Alex held his mouth and saw the surprised looks on Celestia and her guards.

“Alex..?” asked Celestia. “Goodness! Are you alright? You look pale.”

Slowly recovering from that terrible ‘daymare’, he removed the hand from his mouth to speak. “Your Highness… I’m all for friendship and harmony and all that, but I believe we can find a way to settle our differences on our own...” said Alex, hoping to convince Celestia to rethink her idea. “Making contact with my world… No offence, but I don’t think we’re ready to meet you guys just yet.”

Celestia chuckled. “Oh Alex… I admire your modesty. Do not fret. I know we are vastly different from you, but once they see what we can do they will accept us with open arms.”

‘Yeah… they sure will...’ Alex nervously muttered to himself, knowing just what kind of ‘arms’ his people would greet them with once she revealed her intentions. As much as he wanted to go home, he didn’t want to be the key to Earth subjugation.

He didn’t trust her one bit. In fact, he didn’t trust anypony. No matter how warm and sincere Celestia seemed, she was just like the rest. He could not be a part of this.

*****

Meanwhile...

Luna scouted from the air looking for him before finally spotting him just outside the garden, surrounded by guards and speaking with Celestia.

‘Oh no! Tia has Alex!’

*****

“Come along Alex, let us go so we may prepare.” Celestia invited him to follow, but Alex stood his ground. “Alex? Is something wrong?”

“I’m sorry your Highness… But I don’t want to endanger your world. You claim to know all about us. You don’t! We’re dangerous!”

Celestia merely shook her head and giggled. “Oh Alex… I know what you’re trying to say. But I’ve watched your people for a long time and I know what to expect. And believe me, there isn’t a thing your people have that will harm me or my subjects. Now seize this silly stalling and come along now, please.” Within moments, a couple of guards flanked Alex on both sides, ushering him forward.

Alex knew this was it. If only…

“STAY THY HOOF, SISTER!”

Everyone looked up and saw Luna as she descended from the sky and landed between Alex and Celestia. “This human is mine! How dares’ thou lay claim to him without my say?”

Celestia looked at Luna with a frown. “I’m glad you decided to finally join us Luna, because you owe Alex an apology for what you did.”

“I have already told him of my mistake. Now, if thou won’t mind, I would like to take Alex off thy hooves.”

“Luna…”

“Tia, Alex does not belong in our world. In my care I can give him something much better…”

“I can send him home.”

“...I know thou won’t approve of my methods Tia but- what?”

“Luna, I can send him home.”

Luna blinked and glanced at Alex before turning to Celestia. “Really? Thou hast found a way?”

“Yes Luna. But the magical energies that are connecting our world to his are fading. If we don’t return him now, we may not have this chance again.”

“Chance to what?”

“With his help, Equestria will finally have a new world to explore.”

Luna blinked again and stared deadpanned at Celestia. “Explore?”

“Not only explore Luna, but do so much more.” Celestia smiled.

Luna glanced back at Alex. A hint of sadness appeared on her face. “Thou are going to send Alex home…?” Celestia nodded. “I’m… glad Tia. Very glad! But…”

“But what?”

“Tia… It’s just… I found him. By right he should belong to me…”

“Luna… We’ve been through this…”

“HE SHOULD BE MINE!” yelled Luna as she stomped her hoof, her Canterlot Voice causing Alex and the guards to back away. “How can you take away my happiness like this?” A tear trickled down her cheek.

“Luna!”

“Am I not thy favorite sister? Does’ thou not wish for me to be happy?”

“Of course I want you to be happy Luna! But I won’t simply allow you to use the mirror to hunt down poor alien creatures like Alex for your own personal gain and amusement!” Luna gasped at that accusation.

“I only did that ONCE!”

“I’ve also been aware of your little ‘scheme’.” Celestia glared at Luna. “Appalled as I am by your actions, deep down I know your heart was in the right place. But now I shall return Alex home and I do not want to hear any more talk about this!”

“But… But I…”

“Luna! This is my decision. Now if you don’t mind…”

“Yes sister…” Luna muttered in defeat and stepped aside as the guards led Alex passed her and followed Celestia. Luna stayed behind and sulked. “You’ve really changed Tia…” said Luna, earning Celestia’s attention. “I remember thou used to love the hunts. What happened to those times?”

“Things changed Lulu… Nothing truly remains the same.”

Luna lowered her head in sadness as they left her to be alone. Alex saw this and the gears in his head suddenly started to turn.

“You really put her in place.” said Alex suddenly with a smirk.

“I take no joy in that, but she has to learn that the old ways have changed…”

“No I mean it! You really whipped her!”

KA-CRACK!

Luna’s ears twitched. ‘Whipped?’

“What?” Celestia was surprised by that comment.

“If that was me, I wouldn’t have given up that easily. It must be tough playing the second fiddle.”

‘Second fiddle?’

“Alex..? What are you-”

“I mean, it’s perfectly natural that you’d be calling the shots around here, even though you’re both princesses, sharing the kingdom and all…” Luna raised her head and listened. “But I suppose it does go without saying who Equestria’s favorite princess is.”

‘Favorite?’

“Wait! That’s not-”

“I mean, I’d be very upset too, knowing all my efforts to allow myself one single shred of happiness had to be taken away because my eldest sibling, who clearly has more love and praise, told me it was wrong because she wanted more.”

‘ MORE!?!’

“Alex! That’s-” Celestia was cut off as Luna suddenly appeared in front of them, glaring at her sister.

“What is all this talk about whips, fiddles, favorites and more?” asked a fuming Luna. “Am I that inferior to thee? Am I not worthy to bask in the love and praise of our subjects same as you? Just what is thy deal with his world anyway? What’s so important that thou need to go there?”

“Maybe the question you should really ask her is why there are so many armed guards around?” added Alex.

Luna finally now noticed the large activity of armored soldiers trotting to and fro, being assembled as if they were making ready for… Luna shot Celestia a very long and questionable look.

“Luna..?”

“Tia… Does any of this have anything to do with something called ‘Operation Stormbreaker’?”

“What? What do you know about-”

“Oh I see what going on here. Tia… You surprise me! It’s been a long, long while since last time, but I never knew thou still craved for it.”

Alex went wide-eyed. ‘I was right!’

“What are you talking about?”

“Come now Tia… Young Alex. The mirror. The soldiers. It’s simply not enough for thee is it?”

Celestia blinked in confusion and now found herself backing away as Luna glared intensely at her.

“Don’t you try and deny it. Thou want Alex simply so thou can enter his world and take it over, isn’t it?” Celestia was speechless. “Is his world so lost and chaotic that it sorely needs thee to lead them? Isn’t the love of thy pony subjects enough for thee anymore? Did my return to thy side rob thee of loyal subjects thou hast ruled over a thousand years since my banishment? Maybe all this talk of sharing was a lie all this time!” She pushed Celestia into a corner.

“I… You… Why I…” Celestia stammered, fighting to suppress her anger over Luna’s wild accusation.

As the sisters quarreled, Alex noticed with luck that the guards were too caught up in the heated debate to pay him any attention. Ducking down, Alex crawled silently away between their legs and sprinted back into the maze, hoping to lose them this time.

“How can you say such a thing? How can you..?” Celestia stopped as she looked passed Luna. “Where did he go?” Luna looked too and Alex was nowhere to be seen.

“He got away again?!” Luna annoyingly stomped her hoof hard on ground. She then eyed the guards. “YOU! WHY DIDN’T YOU WATCH HIM?” The puzzled guards looked at eachother and blushed with embarrassment. Some of them smiled nervously, digging their hooves on the ground and whistle while others coughed and tried to work up some excuse. Luna glowered.

Celestia used her horn to scan the spot where Alex last stood. Using her magic she picked up the trail and followed it. “He’s in the maze.”

“Again?” yelled Luna. “That unruly little whelp likes to test my patience! Does he not understand what I’m trying to do?” While she was ranting, she then noticed Celestia talking to her guards.

“Understood your Highness!” with a salute, several pegasi guards took off, while the earth-pony and unicorn guards went their separate ways, leaving only two to stand guard by the entrance with Celestia and Luna.

“Tia?”

“Sister…” Celestia said. “I will admit that Alex’s sudden departure is understandable, but I will not stand by and let him ruin years of work and planning. He will open that barrier for me, even if I have to go in and chase after him myself.” Luna looked speechless. “And Luna… You’re right about one thing. I have indeed missed the joys of the hunt. As much as it pains me to say it, I dare say this could be fun.”

Luna eyed her sister curiously. “So… You’ll allow this?”

“Do not assume too much! I’m hunting him down solely for the purpose of getting him home and to bring his world into the Equestrian fold. Nothing else!” she said with great conviction.

“Seriously Tia… Invading his world… Isn’t that…”

Celestia frowned at her and sighed. “Luna, I’m-”

“Save it Tia! Whatever it is you’re planning, I know it will just make thou more popular than me!”

“Luna…”

“And if thou art going to allow this to achieve thy goal, then thou shall allow mine!” Luna said to make her point. “I brought him here for a reason but now that reason has changed. I aim to save him! And I will not stand by and watch him be used as a naïve pawn in thy scheme to take over his world!”

Celestia just stood there and cocked an eyebrow. “Will you at least consider sending him home?”

“No! As much it pains me, he has to remain here! Besides, how am I to trust thou won’t use that as a window to get thy way? No Tia. We don’t belong in his world any more than he does in ours and I’m going to save him, even if it kills me!”

Celestia blinked at that. She knew Luna could be stubborn at times but this seemed a bit over the top. Still, being a Princess of Equestria, Luna was entitled to make her own decisions, no matter how misguided they were.

“Exactly how is turning him into a statue a way of ‘saving him’?”

“I’ve seen the dangers he’s faced. I know now that bringing him here was a mistake. Equestria is not a place for him and thus he has to be isolated from it. I know it sounds cruel but it’s the best choice for him. Nopony or beast will ever plague nor bother him and thou will not use him to invade Earth! And most importantly, he shall be under my protection.”

Celestia was about to say something, but then sighed with a faint smile. “Very well Luna, but let us at least let’s make this fair, both for him and us. No flying and no ‘tracking’ spells.”

“Agreed! May the BEST PRINCESS win!” declared Luna. Celestia rolled her eyes.

Both sisters entered the maze and went down their separate paths, both crossing the feathers on their wings.

*****

Alex ran through the maze. He made quick turns and often hid to make sure he wasn’t spied on from above.

It had all been one rotten turn of events after another. Out of all the ponies wanting to catch him, the only pony who could actually send him home would bring slavery and submission of the harmonic kind to his world. Feeling more alone than ever before, he sulked and wished that he could find some way to get out of this nightmare.
Suddenly, he found himself unable to move. His body seemed to be frozen in place. Recognizing the tingling sensation in his body, he knew that this could only mean…

“GOT YOU!”

In a flash, two very happy alicorns appeared simultaneously, Luna in front of him and Celestia behind him.

“HUH?”

And apparently, they both caught him at the same time…

“Cheater!” yelled Luna. “Thou used a tracking spell!”

“So did you!” answered Celestia.

“Let go sister! I caught him first!”

“I beg to differ! I caught him first!”

“Me!”

“No, ME!”

Alex found himself in a tug-o-war between the two matriarchs. After a moment of being pulled back and forth, he was gently dropped to the ground as the two sisters approached eachother.

“There appears to be only one way to settle this.” Celestia sighed.

“Agreed.”

The two sisters looked at Alex. “You, which of us caught you first?” demanded Luna.

“Huh?”

“Please Alex, tell is which one of us got you first.” said Celestia.

Alex was speechless. They were going to let him decide which of them caught him first. If they both caught him, then by their logic no one caught him, and he ‘the caughtie’ had to choose which he believed caught him first. Alex had to play this out just right. He got up on his feet and dusted himself off.

“Let’s see…” he started. “Luna was the first pony I saw, seeing how she appeared in front of me. So technically she FOUND me…”

“Yes! In thy face sister!” Luna mockingly pointed her hoof at Celestia.

“…however, I felt warm when you stopped me, and Celestia is the princess of the sun. So technically, she CAUGHT me…”

“Well, I guess that settles it then…” smiled Celestia.

“HOLD ON!” protested Luna. “He saw ME first! Therefore, I caught him!”

“But he felt MY magic.” Celestia said. “And to be fair, your magic is a bit chilly.” she teased.

“CHILLY!?!” exclaimed Luna. “Art thou implying that just because I’m the princess of the night, my magic is COLD?”

“Blue is the color of cold.” Celestia plainly replied.

“SNOW is cold too! I’m surprised thou hasn’t melted in the sun along with thy ego!” mocked Luna.

“Are you implying that I’m COLD and DISTANT?” Celestia glared, angered by that comparison.

“Like I’m WARM and CHEERFUL!” said Luna, angrily pushing her muzzle against her sister’s, causing them to stare lightning into eachother’s eyes.

‘Sibling rivalry… Who knew?’ shrugged Alex as he nonchalantly sneaked away.

“Sometimes I wonder if a thousand years in the moon was enough! Maybe you need a hundred more?”

“Maybe thou should send me to the sun! I might actually get warm and a TAN!”

As the sisters argued, Alex rounded a corner and fled. He knew their bickering would seize eventually, so he had to find a way to get out of the capital.

“A TAN? Your coat is dark enough as it is! Who would tell the difference?” argued Celestia.

“Coming from somepony who spends hours in the sun and still looking like chalk!” glared Luna.

“One of these days Luna, I… Wait... Where’s Alex?”

“Don’t change the subject- Wait… Huh? Uh…”

Both sisters stared dumbfounded at eachother before turning their heads to find that Alex was gone. They blushed as they eyed eachother and looked shamefully away.

“Ever since you returned, I promised myself to never fight with you again. Why are we letting a human get between our friendships?”

“I don’t know Tia. I wonder that myself…”

“I… I always cared for you Luna, and I still do. As unfair as I may have acted, I’ve never looked at you as anything less. I’m sorry if you felt that way.” Celestia apologized.

“And… And I don’t think thou art distant or cold. I know thou care deeply. I can be a bother at times but… I just want to have what you have.” Luna shed a regretful tear just before Celestia embraced her in a warm hug. “I’m sorry for being so selfish and jealous!”

“I forgive you sister, if you forgive me.”

“Always.”

They hugged and cried until Luna broke the moment.

“Shall we get him?”

“Let’s go.”

*****

Back at the Golden Oaks Library, Twilight, Spike, Applejack, Rarity, Fluttershy and the Crusaders were busily organizing and going through all the books that were scattered on the floor. Twilight grew immensely frustrated as she was unable to find the spell book she was looking for.

“Where is it? Where is it?!” Twilight groaned.

“Relax Sugarcube.” said Applejack, trying to calm her. “We’re just about done. Ah’m sure we’ll find it.”

“I hope so Applejack. Without that book, there is no way we’ll… No!” After counting all the books and going through all the titles, Twilight realized that the book was nowhere to be found. “It’s not here? Where is it?” She turned towards her friends.

“Don’t look at me. Ah’ went through mah’ pile.” said Applejack.

“We finished our pile too. Nothing.” said Scootaloo.

“I’m so sorry Twilight…” whimpered Fluttershy. “I really tried…”

“Dear, dear darling…” cooed Rarity as she comforted Fluttershy. “Nopony is blaming you.”

Spike waddled up to Twilight with his checklist. “I’ve checked, double checked and even triple checked Twilight. All are present and accounted for except that one book.”

“NOOOoooo!” Twilight threw herself to the floor and hid her face in dismay. “Without that book we can never find him!”

“Hi!” the ponies looked and saw Pinkie Pie enter the library, along with Rainbow Dash who was now wearing a strange bottle around her neck. “We’re back!”

“So? Are you guys ready with that spell yet?” asked Rainbow Dash hopefully.

“No…” said Twilight weakly. “We’re not going to find anything. The spell book isn’t here and we looked everywhere…”

“Ooh! That reminds me. Thanks for letting me borrow this!” Pinkie reached into her hair and pulled out a book to which she placed in Twilight’s hooves. Twilight gazed at it and went wide-eyed.

“Pinkie! This is the book!” her cheerful demeanor quickly vanished as she glared at her. “Wait… You mean you had this book the whole time?”

“Of course! Remember? I tried asking you if I could loan this book, but you were like so busy so I borrowed it anyway for a short while, which is lucky because this book has a really neat spell to find Alex with.” Pinkie smiled.

“Yes Pinkie… I know…” grumbled Twilight through her teeth, fighting off every urge not to strangle Pinkie Pie. Using her magic, she quickly went through the pages and found the spell she was looking for. “Ah! Here it is!” She read the spell and her horn lit up. Within seconds, Twilight finally located her target. “I found him! I know exactly where he is!”

Everyone cheered.

Twilight wasted no time and began to charge up her teleportation spell. As soon as she was ready, she suddenly felt everyone pile on top of her.

“HEY!”

“Ya ain’t goin’ without us now, ya hear!”

Twilight groaned as she felt her legs nearly giving out. With all her friends holding onto her, Twilight cast her spell and everyone disappeared...

FLASH!

-leaving Spike alone with all the recently organized books suddenly falling off their shelves in a chaotic fashion.

“Sigh!”

*****

Having temporarily given the regal sisters the slip, Alex finally reached what appeared to be another exit from the maze. But as soon as he tried to leave, he found his way blocked by a pair of Celestia’s guards. Looking up, he saw several pegasi guards keeping track of him from above. It soon became apparent that the sisters were determined to get him on foot and had the guards block off the exits.

“There he is!” He heard the sound of Luna as she and Celestia appeared from behind and cantered towards him. Hopelessly trapped and with nowhere go, Alex backed himself into a corner.

Alex braced himself. “Well… Guess this is it!”

Suddenly, a brilliant flash of white light emerged between them and Alex. It expanded like a bubble and with a loud flash it burst, revealing something they did not expect.

FLASH!

From out of nowhere, Twilight and her friends materialized right between Alex and the Royal Sisters. Having finished her spell, Twilight finally collapsed due to the sheer weight as her friends fell on top of her. Pulling herself out from beneath the pile of ponies, she groaned as she readjusted her sights and, to her pleasant surprise, beheld Alex in front of her.

“ALEX!”

“ALEX?!”

Happy to see Alex again, the ponies were suddenly cast aside as Twilight, with sudden renewed strength, magically pushed them off her and leaped towards Alex, pinning him down.

“Finally I got you! You’re not getting away this-”

“Twilight Sparkle?”

“-time..?” Twilight froze as she recognized the voice behind her. She turned around and shared the same surprised look as her friends. “P-PRINCESS CELESTIA?!”

There was a long awkward pause.

Luna, who couldn’t help but crack a smile, finally broke the silence. “Well this certainly got interesting…”

Chapter 16: The Great Human Hunt

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Chapter 16: The Great Human Hunt

“P-Princess Celestia!” stammered Twilight. “What a surprise to see you here. What are you doing here in… Canterlot? Eh hehe…” She laughed nervously, realizing that her spell had teleported them all the way to Canterlot.

“I’m surprised to see you here as well, my faithful student.” Celesita smiled. “But would you please be so kind and step off poor Alex.” Twilight blinked a few times before looking at Alex and, smiling with embarrassment, removed her hoof from his chest.

“Sorry… Squee!”

“As much as I enjoy your visit here, I am curious to know as to why you all have come and in such a dramatic fashion?”

“BECAUSE OF HIM!!”

They all shouted in unison and pointed at Alex, who gulped and shrank down with a nervous smile on his face.

Celestia blinked before cocking an eyebrow as she began to put the pieces together. “I see...”

“Princess Celestia…” Twilight approached her. “Forgive me, but Spike and I found Alex in the Everfree Forest and I just want to present him for the Trotholm Hoofbel Committee. I came here to bring him back.”

“Twilight..?”

Applejack pushed herself in front of Twilight, with her hat pressed against her chest. “Ah spotted Alex in mah orchard yer Majesty. He’s gonna help me earn Bits fer the farm. An’ fer some apples he ate.”

“Earn bits..?”

“Uhm…” squeaked the tiny voice of Fluttershy as she hovered carefully up next to Celestia. “I just want to protect him and keep him safe with my animals. I would never- EEP!” Pinkie Pie suddenly popped out from above somehow and startled Fluttershy.

“I want to make him a pony so I could throw him his first ‘New Pony in Ponyville’ Party!” she said before dropping to the ground. Even Celestia was confused by that.

“Um… Huh?”

“I just want him to accompany me as my pet to replace the dress he ruined for the Evening Gallop Party.” said Rarity with a soft whine.

“That’s...”

“I just wanna play with him.” said Rainbow Dash innocently, only to eye Alex with a disturbing smirk on her face while punching her hooves together. Alex gulped.

“Okay..?”

“WE WANT HIM SO WE CAN GET OUR CUTIE MARKS!” said the Crusaders in unison.

Celestia blinked several more times, trying to digest what Twilight and her friends had been telling her just now. “How about you all start from the beginning..?”

*****

As the ponies told their part of the story, with perhaps a few details left out, Celesta and Luna were practically speechless. This human had gotten around! They didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.
Celestia face changed through a list of mixed emotions; Curiosity, confusion, amusement, laughter, shock, sadness, anger, horror and even fury. Eventually it all died down and Celestia just smiled and laughed. “My little ponies… That’s quite an interesting tale. I now see why you all are here. But there was no need for you to put poor Alex through any of that. Because you see, Alex-”

“Tia? A word?” Luna butted in and gestured Celestia to follow her away from Twilight and her friends. She stopped as she was sure they were out of ear-shot. “Tia, I’m your sister and I love you. But don’t ye dare mention that mirror!”

“But Luna, if I tell them about Alex’s world they’ll-”

“-Be overjoyed to learn that there are more humans for the taking! No sister, I won’t let thy invasion come to pass!”

Celestia gasped. “Luna, for crying out loud, I’m trying to tell you I’m-”

“And of course let’s not forget young Alex. After what I just heard, thy precious little subjects and thy most favorite student made his one day here in Equestria a living Tartarus! I’ve seen his dreams. If thou have any common sense, punish Twilight and her friends and make them apologize for their behavior before thou send them home. Alex deserves justice.”

Celestia was silent before suddenly having an idea and smirked. “You’re right Lulu. Twilight and her friends need to be punished and Alex deserves justice…”

“Promise me sister!”

“What?”

“Promise! No! SWEAR! Pinkie Swear that you’ll not reveal the mirror, nor the location of his world!”

“I… But-”

“Do it! Or lose me as both your sister and friend!”

“FOR-EVER!”

They both listened for a moment as they thought they heard something. Celestia bit her lips and then she sighed. “Alright Luna. I Pinkie Swear… I won’t tell them about the mirror. Or his world…”

“Wonderful sister!”

“…until AFTER I’ve caught him!” Celestia glared back at with a grin. Luna gulped slightly as she saw the sudden wild determination in her eyes.

*****

As soon as they returned, Celestia addressed them. “It would appear that you all want Alex for different reasons and purposes, correct?” They all nodded in unison. “I’ve been consorting with my sister and after careful consideration; I’ve decided to not have this continue any further…”

“WHAT!?!”

“But princess!” uttered Twilight. “What about my research? There’s so much I can learn!”

“What about mah Bits?” asked Applejack worried.

“What about his new house?” asked Fluttershy more concerned. “All that work. Angel will be SO angry with me…”

“WHAT ABOUT HIS PARTY???” screamed Pinkie Pie, her hair nearly deflating.

“What about my dress?” wailed Rarity.

“What about me?!?” said Rainbow Dash, hovering in the air.

“WHAT ABOUT OUR CUTIE MARKS?” yelled the Crusaders.

“Isn’t anyone going to ask me what I want?” asked Alex.

“QUIET YOU!”

“Please, let me finish!” Celestia continued. “I will not let this proceed any further, unless Luna and I are included.”

Everypony, including Luna, gawked at Celestia.

“WHAT!?!”

“As such, I decree that as of today, and ONLY today, I shall allow Equestria’s first, and last, Human Hunt!” the ponies gasped. “And you are all hereby invited to take part in this first royal hunt in a thousand years along with me and Luna. The first pony to claim young Alex first gets to keep him and do with him whatever she or they desire.”
Everypony looked at eachother in surprise and excitement over the news.

“Great… More competition…” Twilight quietly lamented.

“Tia! What art thou doing?” Luna whispered.

“Giving our subjects a fair chance to achieve their goals…”

“But… What about Alex?! He doesn’t need this! Tia, this was supposed to be between you and me! And with this much competition-”

“Why Lulu… I thought you liked a bit of competition?” Luna scowled at her. “If it’s not to your pleasing, than be my guest and tell them why they can’t partake in this. I doubt they will take too kindly to your ‘Turn-Alex-Into-Stone’ plan.” Luna quickly realized she had a point.

“Very well sister…” Luna sighed. “But thou does realize thou shall likely lose his world if thou should fail?” she smirked.

“Maybe.” Celestia smiled. “But it will give me a chance to see my little ponies learn a valuable lesson from all this.”

Luna cocked an eyebrow. “Am I included in that lesson? For that matter, art thou?” Celestia just smiled and said nothing.

Before anyone could ask anything else, Celestia lit her horn and in an instant, the Royal Sisters, the Mane Six, the Cutie Mark Crusaders and even Alex disappeared from Canterlot in a white flash, leaving the guards perplexed and somewhat puzzled as to what had just happened.

*****

As the white flash dissipated, everyone except Celestia and Luna blinked with surprise. Celestia had teleported them all to a forest.

“This… This is Whitetail Woods!” exclaimed Twilight.

Celestia trotted past them and stopped before Alex as he got back up on his feet. “Come with me. Excuse me everypony, but I would like to have a private word with our young friend here.” She led him away from the others and used her magic to create a sound proof dome around them.

“There! I want to have a word with you Alex before we begin. I know a lot of things have happened since you came here and I can’t imagine how scared and hurt you must feel right now. But you can rest assured, that my ponies would never…”

“I can’t do this…” Alex suddenly choked.

“Alex?”

“I won’t do this!”

“Alex…”

“NO! Enough is enough!” He swatted away Celestia’s wing as she tried to comfort him. “I’ve been chased and hunted since I got here and it’s all her fault!” he pointed at Luna.

Luna silently cringed. While she couldn’t hear him, she knew what that gesture meant.

“Alex… Everything is going to be alright-”

“NO! You’re lying! Just like them!”

“I understand you’re upset Alex… But please, I-”

“That… That Twilight Sparkle… She wants to turn me in to your government labs so she can have me dissected! That orange applebucker Applejack wants to turn me into some money-making circus slave! Fluttershy wants to keep me locked up in a zoo like an animal! Pinkie Pie wants to turn me into a pony, for reasons I still don’t understand! Rarity wants to make a pet out of me and Rainbow Dash wants to kill me! Those little fillies want to bring me to school like some science project! Your sister wants to turn me to stone!” He then glared at Celestia.
“And then there’s you…” he hissed while tearing up. “You’re the worst! You say you're going to send me home, but I know you’re really going to use me to conquer my world!”

“Is… Is that what you think of me? Of my ponies? Is that what you truly believe will happen to you?”

“Why not?” said Alex wiping the tears from his eyes. “I’m an alien on your world! What rights do I have? And why wouldn’t it happen like that? It happens a lot where I come from!”

Celestia closed her eyes and sighed. “Clearly we haven’t been giving you the best of impressions. For that I apologize deeply. I don’t expect any forgiveness from you, but is there anything else you’d still like to say to me? Anything you’d like to say to us?”

“Actually your Highness… I do.” Alex began to inhale. As he did, Celestia removed the dome.

“Princess..?”

“My ponies, Alex has something he wants to say to us all.”

“YOU ROYAL *HONK!*-CHEWING FU-*HONK!* MONSTER! WHY THE F-*HONK!* DOES ALL THIS FU-*HONK!* S-*HONK!* HAPPEN TO ME? F-*HONK!* MY LIFE! ALWAYS SURROUNDED BY YOU MISERABLE C-*HONK!* PONIES! IT’S LIKE THIS WHOLE WORLD WANTS TO BEND ME OVER AND F-*HONK!* ME IN THE A-*HONK!*, LIKE I’M SOME SORT OF SCH-*HONK!* RECEPTACLE! AS FAR AS I CARE, YOU C-*HONK!* CAN HAVE A F-*HONK!* *HONK!* WITH A GO-*HONK!* PIG!”

“Pinkie, do you mind?” Celestia eyed Pinkie with annoyance as she played around with a honk horn.

HONK! HONK!

“Whoops! Sorry, I was bored.” she giggled as she put her horn away.

“I’m sorry about that. You were saying?”

“I said…”

Everypony let out a horrified gasp while Applejack and Rarity tried to shield their sister’s sensitive ears. Applejack painfully nudged Rainbow Dash to do the same with Scootaloo.

“YOU ROYAL GUM-CHEWING FUNK MONSTER! WHY THE FRUIT DOES ALL THIS FUNNY STUFF HAPPEN TO ME? FORGET MY LIFE! ALWAYS SURROUNDED BY YOU MISERABLE COLORED PONIES! IT’S LIKE THIS WHOLE WORLD WANTS TO BEND ME OVER AND FIND ME IN THE ALPS, LIKE I’M SOME SORT OF SCHLOCK RECEPTACLE! AS FAR AS I CARE, YOU COWS CAN HAVE A FANCY BARBEQUE WITH A GOSH DARN PIG!”

All was silence as everpony’s mouths fell and everyone went wide eyed before finally Twilight said something. “Wow…”

“Well… Didn’t see that one comin’…” said Applejack as she removed her hooves from her sister’s ears.

“YEAH!” Pinkie suddenly shook her hoof at some confused cows who were conveniently trotting nearby. “YOU HEAR THAT YOU COWS?! SHAME ON YOU!”

“I WAS TALKING TO YOU!” Alex yelled.

“Oh!”

“I’ve never had a barbeque with a pig before.” said Fluttershy suddenly. “Maybe I can arrange one when we get home.” Everypony stared at her. “What? I like grilled vegetables. And poor Mr. Bacon hasn’t been happy of late…”

Celestia was strangely silent. “I must admit… I was sort of expecting a more… Cough! …’colorful’ vocabulary.”

“Sorry your Highness…” Alex panted. “But if there’s one thing my mother always taught me; is to never EVER swear in the presence of a lady.”

Celestia blinked.

“And I love my mom…” Alex grumbled.

“A royal gum-chewing funk monster..?” Celestia giggled. “I don’t think I’ve ever been called that before. For a minute I thought you said-”

“TIA!!” Luna cried. “There are children present!”

Celestia playfully held her tongue and giggled as she placed the dome around them again.

“My dear Alex, you have every right to be angry. You must think we’re horrible monsters with no real compassion. That what we’re doing is cruel and unjust. But I give you my word that you have nothing to fear from us. Everypony here, including me, will not harm you in any way. You are far too unique and very special to each of us.” Alex couldn’t help but feel flattered at that brief moment. “That is why I want you to let us hunt you.”

“What? NO! Your Highness, I told you! I-”

“Listen Alex… ” Celestia suddenly leaned over and seemed to whisper something in his ear. Twilight and her friends were curious as to what was going on. While they couldn’t hear what was being said, it seemed as Celestia was able to calm him. Luna was nearly on edge. She hoped that she wasn’t putting on some spell on him.
Moments later, the dome around them dissipated as Celestia finished whispering.

“Are you sure about this..?” asked Alex. Celestia smiled and nodded. “So no matter what, I have to do this?” He suddenly became confused. “But why-?”

“I’m not gonna lie.” Celestia giggled sheepishly. “It’s been YEARS since I’ve done this and… I’ve never hunted a human before. It could be fun.”

“To you maybe…” Celestia smiled sheepishly at that. Alex scratched his chin as he thought about something. “But if I do this, I want something in return.”

“Of course! Anything! Name it and it shall be done.” He leaned over and whispered something in her ear. “Oh! Um… Are you sure…?” Alex smiled and nodded. “But… Is that really necessary? Are you sure you don’t want…”

“It’s that or no hunt!” Alex crossed his arms.

Celestia sighed. “Very well… It shall be done. Good luck Alex, and don’t make this too easy on us.” She winked.

“How do I trust you won’t-”

“I’ll give you a 30 minute head start.” She suddenly unfurled her wings. “You better get going.”

Alex quickly bolted and disappeared into the forest. Some ponies, especially Twilight, became restless and wanted to stop him, but Celestia calmed them. “Don’t worry my little ponies. We are too far from Ponyville and Alex will not get away that easily. We shall soon give chase, but keep in mind that only one of us can claim him. You may team up if you choose, but only one of you will be proclaimed the winner.”
She then eyed the Crusaders. “With exceptions of ponies who share the same goal of course…” she winked. The Crusaders smiled and giggled.

All the ponies glanced at one another and nodded in agreement. This was a Free-For-All and there could only be one winner.

Luna trotted up to her sister. “What was all that about? What did he want?”

Celestia blushed and giggled. “Trust me. You don’t want to know…”

“Alright! It’s everypony for themselves!” exclaimed Rainbow Dash before planting herself on the ground in a start position to wait until the 30 minutes were up.

*****

Alex fought his way through the forest. He still couldn’t believe this was happening, let alone that he was going along with this. He had gone from a simple human, with a simple life in a simple city, to suddenly become the prey in some outlandish foxhunt.
His one consolation however was that these particular hunters weren’t your typical average hunters.

Looking at his watch, Alex saw he still had 25 minutes left before the game could begin. Being unfamiliar with the forest and his current location, he had no idea where he was or whether if he was far enough away from the ponies.

CRACK!

“OUCH!”

Alex grabbed the twig that whipped him in the face. “As I haven’t enough to worry about, now I have to deal with this?!” He glared at the twig before suddenly having an idea. He then eyed some vines and branches that hung low from the trees. He grinned.
It wasn’t an ingenious escape plan, but more or less a distraction. He grinned. ‘Alright your Highness… If it’s a challenge you want, it’s a challenge you’ll get…’

*****

TUUUUUUUUUUT~!*

“Uh… Thank you, Pinkie Pie.” said Celestia to the giggling party pony after she sounded her hunting horn, which was nothing more than a regular party horn. With the 30 minutes finally up, it was time to begin the hunt. “Now my little ponies! Let the hunt commence!”

“Alex is SO mine!” yelled Rainbow Dash as she took to the sky.

“Oh no you don’t!” said Rarity as she and the other ponies followed Alex’s trail through the forest. “He’ll be in my hooves by the end of the day.”

Twilight cantered alongside her mentor and Luna. “So you want to join us Twilight?” asked Celestia.

“If it’s okay? I have to admit, this is kind of fun. And maybe we can get a chance to talk a bit while we look.” smiled Twilight. She secretly hoped that by joining the princesses, her chances of finding Alex first would be greater.

“Of course.” Celestia returned her smile, knowing all too well her intent.

“Enough talk!” said Luna. “My poor Alex is waiting for me!”

All the ponies followed the trail left behind by Alex, keeping close before they eventually decided to split up.
It wasn’t long before Twilight’s ears perked as she noticed something.

“These tracks look fresh!” Twilight eagerly cantered ahead. “He must really close by! This is my chance to-”

CRACK!

“AH!”

“Twilight! Are you alright?” asked Celestia concerned.

“Something whipped me!” cried Twilight, rubbing her sore flank.

Curious, Luna looked around but couldn’t see Alex or anything. “Thy must be imagining young Twilight. There’s nothing here but-”

CRACK!

“Ooh~! I mean… WHO DARES!?!”

Fluttershy trotted carefully through the shrubs, looking for any sign of this new danger. Hearing noises and movements in a nearby bush, she gulped and peered carefully into it. She was relived to find a family of squirrels. “Oh! Hello there. You didn’t happen to see-”

CRACK!

“SQUEAK!”

Fluttershy jumped high into the air in a flash and grabbed the top branch of a nearby tree. Holding on to it for dear life, she rubbed her sore flank while dangling high above ground. “Ouch…”she whispered before looking down and tightening her grip. “Oh dear…”
She was soon spotted by Rainbow Dash who flew down to her.

“Fluttershy?”

“Hi Rainbow Dash. Um… Could you help me down, please?… Squee!”

Rainbow frowned at her before she eventually lowered the timid pegasus to the ground, feeling rather embarrassed.

CRACK!

“OW!!! BUY SOME APPLES!!! That smarts!” exclaimed Applejack while rubbing her flank. “Watch out everypony! He’s been settin’ up booby-traps!”

“Giggle-Snort!”

“What’s so funny?”

“You said ‘traps’!” laughed Pinkie.

CRACK!

“AH!”

“IH!”

“HEY!”

The Crusaders yelled as one branch whipped all three of them at once. Rarity rolled her eyes. “Shush! Alexander might hear us! Honestly, you girls really need to be more carefu-”

CRACK!

*SHRIEK!*

Rarity screamed at the top of her lungs. She then froze, quickly held her tongue and went wide eyed.

“You okay Sis?” asked Sweetie Belle as she and the Crusaders looked at her.

“Fine Sweetie Belle! Just fine…”

Scootaloo rolled her eyes as they trotted passed her. “Honestly Rarity, you really need to be more careful. What if Alex heard us?”

“WHAT?!? But… But I…”

Pinkie Pie hummed happily as she skipped through the bushes. Suddenly she felt a twitch and leaped high into the air as a branch nearly whipped her from behind. Landing back on the ground, she smiled triumphantly and stuck out her tongue. “Ha! Missed me! Pttt~!”

CRACK!

The same branch swung back and whipped her right in the face.

“Ouch… That looked like it hurt. Ya okay there Sugarcube?” asked Applejack.

Frowning, Pinkie silently pulled the branch off her face, revealing a slowly fading red whip mark. “Oki… Doki… Loki…”

“BWAHAHAHAHA!” laughed Rainbow Dash as she stood on a large tree branch high up. “You should see yourselves. You guys crack me up-”

CRACK!

“AH!” Rainbow jolted and flew off the branch as she suddenly got whipped by a branch behind the one she had perched on. Alex had even booby-trapped the trees. “Why that sneaky little…”

“We're not getting anywhere faster like this!” groaned Twilight. “While we’re foaling around, he’s getting further away!”

“Twilight’s right!” said Applejack. “We all know these woods, so we’ll cover more ground if we split up! We’ll find ‘im much faster that way!”

“Alright!” Pinkie suddenly pulled out a real hunting horn.

*RATA-TA-RATATATATATAAAAAA~!*

“CHARGE!” With that, Pinkie galloped blindly into the woods.

‘Why didn’t she use that one..?’ Celestia wondered before shaking her head.

“Alright everypony!” yelled Applejack. “Ya’ll heard her! Time to split up! Remember! The first pony to catch him, WINS!” Soon she too galloped into the woods with the others going each their separate ways. Rainbow, after angrily tearing the branch to pieces with her teeth, shot off into the air to scout from above. The only ones still not moving was Twilight, Celestia and Luna.

“Come on your Highnesses!” said Twilight. “The others already have a head start!”

“He has certainly been busy…” commented Luna, somewhat impressed as she inspected the trap Alex had set up.

“Indeed!” Celestia giggled. “Isn’t he just-”

CRACK!

“Goodness!!”

“Tia..?”

Celestia’s face went red.

“Princess? Are you alright?” asked Twilight.

Celestia blushed. “I… I’ve never felt anything like THAT since…”

“Since what?”

“Nevermind! Cough! Shall we proceed with the hunt maybe?” Celestia maintained her posture as she cantered ahead with a red whip mark on her flank, leaving Luna and Twilight to share a confused glance.

*****

Somewhere far ahead of the ponies, Alex could no longer hear the sounds of whipping behind him. This obviously meant that they had passed his diabolical traps.

He avoided the clearings as he knew Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy and the Royal Sisters could easily spot him from the air, but he was more concerned now for the ones who followed him on foot. He soon heard the sound of hooves and they were getting closer.

Alex quickly climbed a tree and hid among its foliage. He stayed quiet as the familiar pink coat of Pinkie Pie appeared, sneaking passed Alex’s tree on her hind legs. She was sporting a Huntsman’s cap and a toy gun with a cork and string for some reason and-

“Shush! Be vewy, vewy quiet. I’m huntin’ Alexes. Giggle-snort!”

Yes… Well… Ahem! Anyway, Alex remained really quiet as Pinkie sneaked passed him and into the woods. He drew a sigh of relief. ‘Man that was close…’ He then suddenly got the strangest feeling he wasn’t alone. A feeling he recognized too well, and which was impossible since-

“Hi!” Turning his head, he again spotted Pinkie Pie now suddenly standing on a branch next to him, smiling at him. “What’s up, Doc?” With a shriek, Alex bolted from the tree. “Wait! You’re supposed to say ‘us’!”

Panicking, Alex ran blindly into a clearing. He was instantly spotted from above by Rainbow Dash, who swooped down and cut him off.

“Gotcha, twerp!”

“Oh! Hey Rainbow Dash…” Alex said, sweating with a nervous smile on his face.

“I’m SO happy I found you.”

“I’m SURE you are…”

“Now I can finally get my toy.”

“T- Toy?” stuttered Alex.

“See this?” She pointed at the bottle around her neck. “A little something Zecora cooked up for me. You see, I really liked that tiny side of you and with this concentrated mixture of Poison Joke potion, I’ll shrink you back down to size and you will be mine to play with forever and ever.”

Alex gulped. He didn’t want to be tiny again. And he especially didn’t want to become Rainbow Dash’s toy.

“HOLD ON A SECOND!” Rainbow and Alex saw Pinkie Pie pop suddenly out of a small rabbit hole, with a rabbit on her head that immediately scampered away. Forcing herself out the impossibly small hole, she glared at Rainbow and stomped over. “So that’s why you came with me to Zecora!”

“Yeah. So?”

“You can’t make him tiny! I want to make him a pony!” Pinkie Pie reached into to her mane and showed them a bottle before putting it back in. “I spent the entire day planning his party and I won’t let you spoil it.”

“You snooze you lose sister! I caught him and he’s mine!”

“But you can’t make him tiny Rainbow Dash. Once I make him a pony, he can finally stop running and party with us! He might even become a pegasus and you two could be best friends!”

“Friends? With him? After what he did to me? No way! He needs to know who’s in charge here!” Rainbow reached for Alex. “Come here!”

“Na’ah! He’s mine!” Pinkie reached out to, and they both grabbed his arms at the same time. Once again, Alex was caught in a tug-o-war.

“Let go Pinkie!” said Rainbow through her gritted teeth.

“No! You let go!” said Pinkie.

“He’s my human Pinkie!”

“Na-ah Dashie! He’s MINE!”

“My human!”

“MY HUMAN!”

“Uh… Aren’t I sort of my ‘own’ human?” asked Alex.

“You stay out of this!” said Pinkie as she suddenly tore him out Rainbows grasp and tossed him aside before shifting her glare back at Rainbow. “He’s my human, Rainbow Dash!”

“No, he’s mine!”

“Mine!”

“MINE!”

While they argued, Alex saw his chance and snuck away.

“I saw him first, bird-brain!”

“Who are you calling a ‘bird-brain’?”

“Him! No you! I mean… The human!”

“What human?”

“What do you mean ‘what human’? That hu-! Huh?” Pinkie pointed, only to discover that she was pointing at nothing. Pinkie jaw fell as she realized that during their argument, Alex had once again escaped.

“Nice going Pinkie Pie!” groaned Rainbow Dash. She lifted herself off the ground. “I’m searching over there!” She flew off, leaving Pinkie Pie alone and speechless. She had been tricked again.

*****

Bursting through the woods, Alex panted heavily as he finally slowed down to take a break. He had lost Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie, but he still wasn’t safe yet. He could still hear voices echoing through the woods as the other ponies searched high and low for him.
As he moved through the woods, he suddenly heard three familiar voices. Looking from behind a tree, he saw the Cutie Mark Crusaders as they were digging a hole. Applebloom and Scootaloo were busy digging, while Sweetie Belle stood look-out.

“Are you sure it’s deep enough?” asked Sweetie Belle.

“Darn tutin’!” said Applebloom as her voice echoed from the hole. “Tis’ hole will make the perfect human trap.”

“Maybe that’s worth a cutie mark?” added Scootaloo.

“CUTIE MARK CRUSADERS! HUMAN TRAP BUILDERS! YAY!”

They cheered. Alex had to shake his head. They certainly didn’t grasp the concept of a ‘quiet’ cheer. He continued to watch as Sweetie Belle helped the others out of the hole and covered it in twigs.

“Looks kinda dangerous… Are you sure we can trap him with a bear trap?” asked Sweetie Belle, following the others into a nearby bush.

“Sure we can! The trap can’t tell the difference.” said Scootaloo, diving into the bush with Applebloom. Sweetie Belle took one last unsure look at the trap before Scootaloo pulled her in with them.

Alex shook his head as he found their attempt on catching him in a bear trap rather cute. While he admired their spirit, he had no plans on doing them the favor of getting caught that easily. He quietly moved backwards to distance himself away from them.
Suddenly, he bumped into something. It felt soft and furry. Using his hands, he felt how big it was. He also felt a series of sharp claws. He heard a low growling sound. Looking up, he found himself staring at a large bear!

“Oh thank goodness! You found him Harry!” To Alex’s surprise, Fluttershy appeared from behind the bear. “You did a good job tracking him down for me.” She gently scratched the bear’s ear as it seemed to enjoy it. Alex couldn’t believe his own eyes. Fluttershy was using a bear to track him, and his name was Harry? Fluttershy jumped down and approached Alex. “Come now Alex, let me take you home. You’ll be safe with me.” Alex said nothing. He exchanged glances between Fluttershy and the bear.

“BYE!” Alex suddenly said and dashed off.

“NO! GET BACK HERE!” she yelled. Alex did not comply. She stomped her hooves in frustration and growled. “HARRY!” Harry the bear let out a roar and chased after Alex. “Oh dear… HEY WAIT!” realizing that Harry could unintentionally harm Alex, Fluttershy quickly chased after them.

With the bear on his tail, Alex knew there was no way he could escape on foot. But there was one way he could lose him. The Crusader’s trap!

“Ah think Ah hear somethin’.” said Applebloom, poking her head out of the bush as the sound got louder. Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo poked their heads up too.

“That must be him! Get ready!”

They all pulled their heads back into the bush and waited with suspense for the trap to spring. Alex ran towards the trap, with Harry still in hot pursuit. Having gained enough momentum, he leaped over the trap.

CRASH!

“WE GOT HIM!” yelled the Crusaders. They leaped out of the bush and looked into the trap. Their smiles quickly faded.

“Girls…” Applebloom began. “That’s not Alex…”

“It’s a bear…” continued Scootaloo.

“Once a bear trap… Always a bear trap.” finished Sweetie Belle. The Crusaders flinched as Harry let out a painful howl.

“Harry?” The Crusaders turned and saw Fluttershy coming out of the woods. “Girls? What are you-?” she gasped. “Harry!!!” She leaped into the hole and tried to comfort the despairing bear as he cradled his front paw. She carefully examined it. “Oh dear! I think it’s twisted!”

“It was an accident Fluttershy! Honest!” said Applebloom.

“We were trying to catch Alex with a bear trap.” said Scootaloo.

“But instead we caught a REAL bear…” whined Sweetie Belle.

“We’re sorry!” they said and bowed their heads in unison.

“It’s alright girls.” said Fluttershy in her forgiving tone. “Harry and I forgive you. Don’t we Harry?” Harry glanced at Fluttershy before looking back at the girls.

“UH HUH!” Harry softly growled, accepting their apology.

Alex, watching from a safe distance, felt bad about leaving them like that. But his fear of getting caught (and suffer Fluttershy’s stare) advised against it. He decided to continue onward.

“Please, help me get him out of this hole.” said Fluttershy. The three filles didn’t hesitate and jumped in the hole to help pushing the bear out while Fluttershy pulled with the best of her efforts. As the crusaders struggled to push Harry out, they noticed he was sitting on something… pink?

POP!

“Uuh…” Pinkie Pie’s eyes swirled as her head popped out from underneath Harry, recovering herself from having had a whole bear land on her.

“Pinkie Pie?! What are you doing down here?” asked Scootaloo bewildered.

Shaking her head, she just smiled. “I found this neato hole and figured it would be a great place to ambush somebody. Next thing I know a bear suddenly falls on me and-“

SQUASH!

Pinkie was unable to finish as Fluttershy lost her grip and Harry fell back down the hole on top of Pinkie.

“Opsie…” said Fluttershy meekly.

“Owie…” said Pinkie weakly.

*****

Alex fought his way through the woods, trying to create some distance from his pursuers. With Rainbow Dash carefully monitoring from the air, the safest place at the moment was below the tree line.

He approached a small clearing. Daring a look to see if Rainbow Dash was anywhere near, he took a chance as soon as the coast was clear. “So far so good... I think I’ve gotten far ahead of- GAH!”

Suddenly, Alex’s leg was roped by a vine and he quickly found himself being pulled up and hanging up-side-down next to a tree.

*****

‘Ya ain’t the only one who can set up traps sugar...’

Somewhere not too far away, Applejack was busy working on a way to trap Alex. During that ‘whip-branch’ incident, she had gotten the idea of placing several traps of her own. Using her rabbit trapping skills for protecting her apples, she used several vines to make a strong makeshift rope, bent over a few strong branches and carefully set them to trigger the moment somepony, or in this case some human, set it off.

She was just about finished with her latest trap when suddenly her ears perked. She then heard a sudden but clear shout coming from the forest.

“Boy Howdy! Looks like mah hard work is finally payin’ off!” She said gleefully and charged into the forest towards the sound.

*****

Alex was totally helpless as he dangled from the tree. He knew that within moments a pony would show up and catch him. It wasn’t long before he heard rustling from the bushes in front of him. It was then when the pony emerged.

“Oof! Well I never! Ugh! Simply dreadful. A lady such as myself shouldn’t be frolicking in the forest like some wild animal. Oh if only I had brought my outdoors attire.” whined Rarity as she struggled to pull twigs away from her mane.
Once finished, she took a moment to breathe and relax. “Well, all things considered it’s all going to be worth it. It’s only a matter of time now before I find my precious-” she then glanced something hanging from a branch in front of her, sporting the most pathetic smile ever as he had hoped that she wouldn’t notice him.

“ALEXANDER!?”

“Ehehe…” laughed Alex nervously as he helplessly watched Rarity gallop towards him. ‘Oh crud!’

“Alexander! I finally found- WHOA-HAHAA?!?” Rarity suddenly found herself pulled up by her hind leg and hanging up-side-down just a few feet away from Alex, both of them staring at eachother with puzzled expressions.

“Wha?”

“Nice to see you decided to hang around.” joked Alex.

“Oh be quiet you!” spat Rarity. She tried to use her magic on the knot that held her hind leg. Due to gravity and the constant movement of trying to shift her body in a proper position, she was unable to focus. With a frustrated sigh, she gave up.

As they silently dangled around, Alex decided to break the ice.

“Well, this is certainly a predicament…”

“I concur…” answered Rarity solemnly. “This is all your fault.”

“My fault?”

“Of course it is! If you’d been a good human and stayed with me in the first place, we wouldn’t be in this mess!”

“Well EXCUSE me, but I wasn’t the one who talked about putting me on a leash!” argued Alex.

“I said no such thing! I said you would be my pet! That’s all.”

“It’s the same thing!”

Both of them ‘humphed’, crossed their arms (or in Rarity’s case; her forelegs) and turned their heads away, not looking at one another. It didn’t last long however as Rarity decided to break the ice.

“Why won’t you be my pet?” she pouted.

Alex couldn’t fathom why she would even question that. “I just don’t. Would you have become my pet if the situation was reversed?”

Rarity thought about that and sighed. “No... I suppose I wouldn’t. I’m too glamorous for something so demeaning.” Alex rolled his eyes. At least she was being honest. Rarity then looked at him. “You however, looked so lost and frightened I just didn’t have the heart to let you go. You were so scared.” While he didn't like admitting it, he was really scared and shaken up that time when Pinkie was chasing him.

“I… Suppose I was…”

‘Idea~!’ Rarity mentally sang as she suddenly had an epiphany. If she was able to guilt him just enough, perhaps he would reconsider this foolish ‘running away’ business and realize that living with her wouldn’t be so bad. She did recall him being somewhat taken away by her appearance. She had seen that look before in Twilight’s assistant Spike. Maybe she could use that to her advantage.

“Do you hate me?”

“What?” Alex whipped his head towards Rarity, only to meet with the biggest puppy-dog eyes he had seen. “Gah…”

Having got his attention, Rarity decided to milk this further and tried to woo him. She straightened her mane (or at least tried to as she was up-side-down) and flickered her eyes in the most alluring manner. Alex nearly felt his body go limp and his heart nearly skip. For just one brief moment he looked passed the pony feature and saw something really beautiful. “Do you find me… hideous?” she whimpered while pouting her lips.

Alex, taken away by this romantic tension, shook his head and tried to think straight. “What? No! I mean, I don’t think you’re-!”

“Is it my mane? My coat? My bedazzling cutie mark?” she cooed, showing her flank from the best possible position she could think of. Her three gems seemed to sparkle.

Alex gulped. “No… NO! I… I…”

“Oh Alexander… What possible sin could I have committed to earn your hatred and distrust? Why do you hate me? Why? WHY?” She bawled into her hooves, shooting one quick glance at Alex to see if her acting had done the trick.

Alex was speechless. He didn’t know why, but right now he felt like a big jerk.

“I don’t hate you Rarity.” he said softly. “And you’re not ugly. In fact, you’re the most beautiful thing I have ever seen.” Rarity stopped faking her sobs and glanced at him while a smile crept up her face. “I mean, I think all you ponies are pretty and nice, but you are probably the prettiest and nicest pony ever. And… and I’m sorry. I’m sorry that I’ve given you so much hard time.”

‘Gotcha~!’ she sang to herself. “All will be forgiven my dear Alexander, if you would just be so kind as to help me down. I may not be able to free myself, but I’ll use my magic to loosen your knot and then all you have to do is loosen my knot and -”

“And jus’ what in tarnation are ya playin’ at?”

Both Rarity and Alex jumped as the familiar voice of Applejack broke their conversation. Applejack looked at Rarity with confusion plastered on her face.

“Applejack?! Why… How long have been standing there?”

“Long enough to watch ya’ play with tis’ poor fella’s feelin’s, that’s how long. Bad enough y’ do the same with Spike, but tis’ here’s just low!”

“Ahehe… Applejack, I can assure you-“

“Wait!” said Alex. “You were playing me?” Rarity smiled awkwardly at him as he had pieced together what she had been doing. “I can’t believe I actually got smitten by you!” He couldn’t even believe he was actually smitten by a pony of all things.

Rarity blushed at that, causing Applejack to rear with laughter. “Hehe! Boy Howdy! Ya sure are a fine piece of work Rarity!”

“Applejack! As if I would stoop to such a level!”

“Hehe! Oh my! Mah sides!”

Rarity frowned at her. “Well, since you’re in such a good mood, how about you get us down?”

“Sure! Ah’ll get Alex down…”

“WHAT!?!”

“Come now Rarity. Did ya’ll think Ah’d just let ya try and claim mah golden apple?” she eyed Alex who frowned at her. “Don’t ya worry non hon. Ah’ll let ya’ down as soon as-Ah-GAH!” After taking one step forward, Applejack’s hind leg was suddenly ensnared and she found herself hanging up-side-down as well. She couldn't believe she had stepped into her own trap. “Shoot…”

“So glad you could join us.” mocked Rarity.

“Oh Shush!”

“Hi!” Everyone turned and suddenly eyed Pinky Pie hanging up-side-down as well. “Cool! Now we can be the ‘Hanging Upside-Down in a Tree’ Club. Dibs on President!”

“How long have you been here?” asked Alex.

“Oh I’ve been here since you said ‘GAH!’, when Rarity said ‘WOA-HAHAA!’ and when Applejack said ‘Ah-GAH!’ Squee!”

“…”

“Uh huh… So what now are we going to do?” said Alex, deciding not to waste time questioning Pinkie any further.

“I haven’t the faintest idea…”said Rarity.

“Me neither…” added Applejack.

“We can play charades!” said Pinkie and started to mimic something. “What am I?”

“Ah pony hangin’ upside-down in a tree?” answered Applejack sarcastically.

“Right!” said Pinkie Pie.

Applejack just rolled her eyes. “Rarity, can’t ya’ll jus’ use that magic of yers and get us down?”

“I most certainly can. Of course I can only help you, Alex and Pinkie down. I would need your help to get down afterwards.”

“Well? What are ya’ll waitin’ fer? Get me down!”

“And have you claim Alexander before me? I wouldn’t dream of it.”

“Ooh! Ooh! Pick me! Pick me! I won’t take Alex. I promise!”

“Nice try Pinkie…” said Applejack narrowing her eyes.

“What? I would never lie.” said Pinkie, while the tips of her mane and tail were crossed. The others just rolled their eyes.

“This is going nowhere. I can’t let myself down and I can’t let any of you down without losing my precious Alexander. O’ what ever shall we do?” Rarity wailed.

Alex then had an idea. “You could let me down!”

The three ponies stared at Alex. “Let ya down? You’ve gotta be kiddin’! No way are we lettin’ ya go!”

“Please hear me out! Look, you all want me, but each of you won’t let the other have me. So I propose that, if you let me go first, you stand a better chance of catching me without either of you being a head of the other.” he winked. The ponies blinked at that proposal.

Rarity was the first to understand what he was saying. “You’re right Alexander…”

“What?” argued Applejack. “But Rarity..!”

“It’s only fair Applejack.” said Rarity with maturity in her voice. “I’ll release Alex first, wait till he’s far enough away, and then I’ll let you and Pinkie down.”

“Yeah! It’s only fair.” added Pinkie.

With all sides against her, Applejack sighed as she reluctantly agreed as well. After all that work of setting traps, she was going to let this one opportunity slip away. “Fine… We’ll play it yer way.”

Working her magic, Rarity undid the knot around Alex’s leg and he lowered himself down. “Thanks” He quickly made a run for into the woods and disappeared from sight.

“BYE ALEX! CATCH YOU SOON!” waved Pinkie.

“Is he gonna keep slippin’ out of our hooves forever?” moped Applejack.

“Nope dopey, we’ll catch him. It’s almost the end of the story.” said Pinkie, earning a confused glance from the others. “What?”

*****

Tracking through an open meadow, the Royal Sisters and Twilight were scouring the area for Alex. Luna, anxious to claim her prize led the way, while Celestia enjoyed the company of Twilight.

“-and that’s how I learned the lesson of friendship through baking.” beamed Twilight.

“That was quite the tale Twilight.” Celestia giggled. “I’m glad you at least learned something from that.”

“Indeed I did.” laughed Twilight, a bit unsure by what she meant by that. 'Hehe… Little does she know, that while I’m boring her with my stories, she’ll not be able to pay attention when we find Alex. By then she’ll be so unprepared that he’ll be in my hooves before she realizes it.’ she mentally squeed.

’Poor Twilight…’ thought Celestia. ‘She thinks she’s boring me with her Friendship stories. She doesn’t know I’m both a good listener AND observer. Once we spot Alex, he’ll be in my magic spell before she can cite the right incantation.’

“ART THOU QUITE DONE?” yelled Luna in her Canterlot Voice, causing them both to flinch. “THY ENDLESS CHATTER WILL SCARE HIM AWAY!” Her voice echoed across the meadow, causing birds nearby to fly away in fright.

“Ouch!”

A sound caught Twilight’s attention and she silently gasped.

“If you keep talking like that, I’m sure he’ll come to us eventually…” said Celestia sarcastically, causing Luna to realize her error and blush. She then noticed Twilight staring into the woods for some reason. “Twilight?” Twilight jumped and looked at her teacher. “Did you see something?”

“I… I thought I saw…” her eyes switching back and forth between the princesses and the forest.

*****

Alex, having tried to distance himself away from Rarity, Applejack and Pinkie, had the misfortune of running into the very ponies he had hoped not to run into. He took shelter behind a bush, but was startled out when a flock of birds hiding in the same bush got startled too by Luna’s voice. The bush was also revealed to be a thorn bush. Once in plain sight, Alex scrambled for the nearest tree, hoping they hadn't seen him.

*****

“Saw 'what' Twilight?” asked Celestia.

“It… It was nothing…” lied Twilight. This was her only chance to grab Alex.

Celestia looked suspiciously at her. She then glanced in the direction towards the forest and smiled. “Twilight Sparkle… Did you see Alex?” asked Celestia. Twilight went pale. “Is he hiding in there?”

“ALEX IS IN THE FOREST?!” yelled Luna in a normal voice. She was about to gallop towards the forest before Celestia stopped her.

“Now Luna… That is not the proper way.” Luna frowned while she settled down.

Twilight sighed, knowing that her chance to catch him alone had all but failed.

“Twilight?”

Twilight noticed Celestia gesturing her to join them. She trotted over and, following Celestia’s guidance, placed herself between her and Luna and formed a line facing the forest. “We’ll stand right here. The moment we see a movement in that forest, we’ll cast our magic and the first pony to reel him in, wins.”

“That sounds fair.” said Twilight.

“As you wish sister.” added Luna.

The three ponies watched the forest, while Alex, still hiding behind a tree, began to sweat as he realized what was going on. He knew that the moment they saw him, it would be all over. If there was any way out of this, he had to escape ‘Commando Style’. Ducking down on all fours, Alex crawled his way from bush to bush, keeping himself hidden from view.

The three ponies continued watching the forest carefully. They knew that on the first sign, sight or sound of him, they would strike.

Suddenly, there was a ruffling in the bushes.

“I GOT HIM!” yelled Luna. She cast her magic and grabbed something. It was alive. “HUZZAH! I GOT HIM! I’M VICTORIOUS! I-!” her victory fell short as the ‘Alex’ she grabbed was nothing more than a rabbit. Twilight and Celestia chuckled.

“Oh! There he is!” exclaimed Celestia as she eyed a humanoid shape in the forest. She cast her spell and reeled it in. “Looks like I’m the winner.” Her smiled quickly faded as the ‘human’ turned out to be a conveniently shaped tree stomp. Luna laughed while Twilight stifled a giggle. Being the good sport as she was, Celestia giggled as well.

Twilight suddenly eyed a shadow dodging behind a tree, too big to be a rabbit and too alive to be a stomp. “AHA! GOTCHA!”
Twilight cast her spell and hooked it. A loud girlish ‘Yelp!’ was heard and she felt how her catch struggled. “Prepare to be amazed your Highnesses.” gloated Twilight as she reeled in her catch. “Looks like the winner of this hunt is-”

“Hi Twilight!”

Twilight’s words froze and she stared wide-eyed at her catch which turned out to be Pinkie Pie. Not bothering to ask how or why, Twilight simply frowned and used her magic to send the smiling party pony away to another part of the forest.

“Bye Twilight!”

The two princesses giggled at the fuming Twilight. “ENOUGH OF THIS!!” Twilight’s horn suddenly lit up. Much to the sisters’ amazement, every tree, shrub and bush were immediately uprooted and levitated off the ground. Rabbits, raccoons, porcupines and other various animals froze as their concealments disappeared and quickly scurried away. One creature, temporarily oblivious to realize what had happened, still tried to sneak away Commando Style, only to freeze moments later as he realized his cover was blown. “THERE YOU ARE!”

Alex yelped and ran. The princesses seized this moment and readied their magic. Panicking, Twilight quickly seized her hold on the tree and readied hers. All three ponies cast their magic as the forest came crashing down around Alex who quickly braced himself for the impact.

CRASH!

As the dust and debris settled, Alex uncovered his eyes and was amazed to discover he was okay. It was then he realized that he was trapped inside a magic bubble. He was suddenly lifted off the ground and brought before the three ponies.

“YES! I GOT HIM!” They all shouted in unison. “WAIT! YOU GOT HIM? I GOT HIM!”

“Not again…” muttered Celestia with a sigh.

“Unhoof Alex young one! He is mine!” demanded Luna.

“No way! He’s mine!” protested Twilight.

All three ponies pulled with all their might. Alex sat down in the bubble with a hand to his chin and frowned. Once again he was in a tug-o-war. He calmly watched as they struggled like three fishermen fighting over a trout. It was only a matter of time before the line snapped.

“I… Will… Not… Give… Him… UP!” groaned Twilight, gritting her teeth as she used all the magic she could muster.

“I’m impressed Twilight!” said Celestia, sweat visibly pouring down her forehead. “You certainly have… learned much.”

“There comes a time… when the student… becomes… the… MASTER!” answered Twilight with a forced smirk. Celestia was indeed impressed by her student’s strength. While still young, her determination was all she needed to strenghten her hold on Alex.

“Must… Not… Give… In…” muttered Luna through her teeth as she pulled harder. Twilight and Celestia did the same. The more they pulled, the tighter the magical ‘fishing line’ got.

Alex began to notice how the bubble was being pulled in each direction. Stretching noises were heard and surge sparks appeared outside the bubble as it seemed to grow unstable.
Scratching his head, he suddenly felt a thorn in his hair. He pulled it out and looked at it. He then looked at the bubble. He looked at the thorn again. Shrugging, Alex poked the bubble with the thorn.

POP!

KA-BOOM!!!

The unexpected explosion caused a shockwave that knocked Twilight and the sisters off balance. They were thrown away by the tremendous force. Twilight rolled like a bowling ball and crashed into a nearby maple tree, turning the entire tree in series of bowling pins that landed on top of her and buried her. Celestia landed head first in a riverbed. Luna got stuck in a hollow tree.

Alex, standing in a smoking crater, miraculously unscathed by the explosion, saw his chance and ran away.

Twilight scrambled out of the mountain of bowling pins in a daze, right until she got knocked on the head by a late bowling pin. Celestia pulled her head out of the water with her mane quite a mess. Shaking off the water, her mane suddenly sprouted into an afro. Luna pulled her head out of the tree. While recovering, she felt something moving in her mane and tried to shake off a family of bats that refused to leave her for some reason. The three ponies eventually regrouped and approached the crater.

“Gone again…” said Twilight miffed.

“Indeed. He really is quite persistent…” Celestia heard giggling and glanced at Luna who fought to stifle a laugh. Noticing that Twilight was doing the same, Celestia finally noticed her afro and glared at Luna. “Don’t you dare…”

Luna burst into a fit of laughter. Annoyed, Celestia shocked her sister with a spark from her horn, causing all the bats in her mane to leave her. “GAH! Of course sister! Chough! Ahem! Snort!”

With a flash from her horn, Celestia returned her mane to normal.

“HEY!” They all looked up and saw Rainbow Dash descending. Soon after, the rest of the ponies arrived. “What was that huge explosion just now? Did you find the twerp?”

“Yes… We found ‘Alex’.” corrected Twilight. She then brought their attention to the woods behind them. “He ran in there. Beyond that, there is nothing but an open plane. We’ll comb the forest and force him into the open. There won’t be anywhere left for him to hide.”

All the ponies, including the sisters, nodded in unison.

“I’ll scout ahead!” said Rainbow Dash and flew off.

“With your permission your Highness…”

“Lead the way Twilight.”

“Then let’s go!” With that, the ponies spread out and entered the woods.

*****

Somewhere in the woods, resting on branch, a tiny squirrel was about to enjoy its acorn when it suddenly saw Alex sneaking out off one row of trees, across a pathway and into the next row of trees. While curious as to what that was all about, the squirrel merely shrugged and proceeded to enjoy its meal.
Just then, 11 ponies suddenly trotted out of the same set of trees as Alex did. They then split up. Twilight, Celestia and Luna went in one direction, Pinkie Pie and Rarity the other and Applejack, Fluttershy and the Crusaders in the next.

The squirrel, too curious now to eat, watched as more things started to happen. Everyone suddenly seemed to go back and forth, all appearing in a new place each time. The ponies got more split up, aimlessly wandering back and forth while looking for Alex. Sometimes they would even mysteriously reappear out of the same spot they first came out of.

At one time, Alex and Applejack crossed at the same time, both briefly unaware of eachother before Applejack suddenly noticed him and immediately gave chase. She chased him around for a bit and in one instance Alex suddenly wound up behind Applejack and chasing her.
It went on for quite a bit before Applejack eventually lost sight of him.

“Um… Excuse me?” The squirrel suddenly eyed Fluttershy. “But have you seen Alex?” The squirrel just silently stared at her until she left. “No? Okay… Thanks.”

As the squirrel continued to watch, more crazy stuff began to happen. At one time Alex came sneaking out backwards with Fluttershy doing the same from her end, only to have their backs meet and flee back in.
It then witnessed the Crusaders, each one stacked up on eachother’s back as the one on top tried to get a better view, while the one on the bottom struggled not to collapse.
It then saw Pinkie Pie cross over, only to have another Pinkie Pie further away simultaneously crossing over in the opposite direction. The squirrel rubbed its eyes.

Suddenly, the squirrel saw four young ponies, two colts and two fillies, walking out with a dog. The one white colt in the lead was wearing an orange ascot, the lavender filly had red hair and a green scarf and the orange short one wore thick black glasses. The green skinny colt behind seemed really nervous.

“Come on gang!” said the one wearing the ascot. “Let’s solve this mystery!”

“I don’t like this…” complained the nervous one. “What if we run into the Whitetail Horror?” he gulped.

“Aw come on.” said the filly with the glasses. “There’s no such thing as a-” Suddenly Alex appeared, stopping right in front of them.

“AH! THE WHITETAIL HORROR!!!”

They all ran away in an instant, including their dog. Alex was about to say something when all 11 ponies suddenly popped their heads out from behind each row of trees, causing Alex to flee in as they immediately gave chase.

The baffled squirrel just blinked. It then looked at its acorn, sniffed at it and tossed it away.

*****

Tired and mentally fatigued, Alex finally reached the edge of the forest and beheld the open plane in front of him. He was trapped. He knew that the moment he stepped out there, there would be no place for him to hide.

“I think I saw him go over here!”

He heard Twilight’s voice as the ponies approached not far behind him. They would reach him in a matter of minutes.

It was then Alex had a realization. He had reached the end. He was out of options and tricks. He knew there was only one way left for him to go now.

‘You better be right about this…’ Taking one deep breath, Alex shut his eyes and made a final break for it. ‘HERE GOES NOTHING!’

“I see him! He’s running out!” yelled Twilight and immediately ran after with the other ponies close behind..

“What?” Rainbow Dash yelled from high above as she seemed to hear Twilight’s voice. She then narrowed her eyes and saw Alex exiting the forest. “I got you now twerp!” She said as she dived down.

Twilight stopped to charge her magic. Celestia and Luna stopped beside her and did the same.

“Alex is mine princess!”

“We’ll see my faithful student!”.

“He’s mine by right!”

The rest of the ponies ran as fast as they could to catch up to him. The Crusaders however quickly fell behind.

“We’ll never be able to catch up!” yelled Scootaloo as she realized they were unable to keep up with the others. “If only I brought my scooter!”

“SCOOTALOO!” yelled Applebloom and Sweetie Belle. Scootaloo looked as saw them pulling back a branch. “HURRY UP!” She instantly knew what they had in mind. They had made a slingshot. They would launch her into the air and she would glide towards Alex. She galloped over and threw herself on the branch.

“NOW!”

However, instead of letting go of the branch, the impact of Scootaloo caused Applebloom and Sweetie Belle to lose their footing and all three were slingshot into the air towards Alex at great speed.

“AAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!”

Alex didn’t look back. He kept his eyes shut and braced himself as the ponies drew closer and closer.

“Weeee! PARTY!” cheered Pinkie as she leaped towards him.

Applejack pulled out her lasso.

“ALEX!” yelled Fluttershy as she reached out her hooves.

“MINE!” yelled Rarity as she did the same.

Above them, Rainbow Dash went into her Sonic Rainboom and dove towards Alex, her colorful spectrum wave filling the skies.

Alex began to feel a faint tingling sensation in his body. ‘This is it!’

Time seemed to slow down as the glow around him intensified and the ponies behind him were now only inches away.

‘THIS IS IT!’

Twilight Wins

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Chapter 17: The Winner is…

There was an intense silence in the air. The dust slowly began to settle as the shadowy image of a pony pileup became visible. All the other ponies moaned and groaned as they rubbed their head trying to shake away the dizziness. Twilight, Celestia and Luna stared with their mouths wide agape at the incredible sight, with their horns still lit.

Somewhere beneath that pile of ponies was Alex, the weight of all of them having knocked the wind out him. Unsure of which of them had their magic locked on Alex, the two monarchs and Twilight simultaneously lifted Alex off the ground, pushing away the ponies above him. As soon as he was in view, everyone’s eyes widened with more surprise and disbelief.

Nopony had grabbed Alex!

This only meant one thing... That one of them had claimed Alex ahead of the others. With controlled excitement, all three levitated Alex towards them.

Twilight bit the tip of her hooves with anticipation. Luna was nervous as well and did the same. As Alex drew ever closer, he started to float in the direction of the spell caster. Twilight and Luna gasped. Celestia smiled and cleared her throat.

“The hunt is over my little ponies! The winner is… TWILIGHT SPARKLE!”

“Aaaaw…” the other ponies groaned with disappointment.

“YAY!” cheered Pinkie Pie.

Twilight blinked several times before realizing what had happened. Her confusion was replaced with a huge smile. Her eyes sparkled with delight and she skipped and cheered around Alex.

“YES! YES! YES! YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”

Wasting no time whatsoever, Twilight quickly summoned the cage from Ponyville, along with Spike.

“Huh? How did..? GAH!”

Spike lost his balance as Twilight turned the cage over and opened it. She dropped Alex inside and made certain the bottom part was secured and locked.

No longer in Twilight’s magical hold, Alex sat up, drummed his fingers and let out a quiet sigh of defeat as the lavender bookworm continued to jump and skip around him in ecstatic glee.

“YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”

“You caught him. You actually caught him!” cheered Spike.

“Yes Spike! It finally over!” cheered Twilight and hugged him.

“Congratulations Twilight!” said Celestia smiling as she trotted up beside them.

“Thank you princess! Thank you!”

Celestia then inspected the cage. “My… That is most certainly an impressive cage…”

“Thank you!” Spike grinned proudly. “Made it myself.”

“…but don’t you think it’s a bit… excessive?”

Twilight stopped her little victory dance and her grin quickly vanished. “Ex- Excessive?”

“I mean, it doesn’t really look that friendly now, wouldn’t you say?” Celestia gave her a rather stern look.

“It doesn’t?” Twilight looked at the cage and then nervously at Celestia. “Do you really think it’s unnecessary? It was only following-”

“I am familiar with the protocol Twilight, but young Alex here is not an animal. I can vouch for him. And besides you did catch him my student, so you don’t need to worry that he’ll run away anymore.” Twilight bit her lips and blushed. “Now let the poor thing out.”

Twilight was a bit reluctant at first, but eventually used her magic to remove the cage around Alex. Spike frowned, knowing all his work on this cage had been for nothing.

Alex was relived to be out of the cage. He then looked up at Twilight who half expected him to immediately run away at that moment he was free. Instead he just sat there.

“So… You’re not going to run away?”

“Why? You heard her. You caught me. Just get this over with…” He crossed his arms and looked away.

“Alex…” Twilight sensed the hurt in his voice. He still hadn’t forgiven her for that incident in the library a while back. She wanted to say something but her friends suddenly surrounded them and congratulated her with her victory.

“Congratulations Twilight! You caught Alex!” cheered Pinkie while throwing confetti around. The crusaders joined in on the cheering as well.

“TWILIGHT CAUGHT ALEX! TWILIGHT CAUGHT ALEX! YAY!”

“Indeed! We all are... truly happy for you.” said Rarity with a rather forced smile.

“Thank you! Thank you everypony!” Twilight smiled.

“Ya deserve it Twi!” said Applejack.

“Seeing you happy is worth all the Alexseses in the world!” said Pinkie. “Right Dashie?”

“Uh... Yeah! Right!” Rainbow Dash agreed. ‘Still I wish that I had won…’

Twilight put her hoof on his shoulder and smiled before facing the friends again. “My friends, I wish to invite you all to accompany us to Trotholm for my presentation.” Her friends nodded and agreed to join her. “I hope you will come too?” she asked her mentor.

Princess Celestia nodded. “Of course we will my faithful student, right Luna?”

“I’ll come too I suppose…” Luna said with a slightly solemn voice. Secretly she hoped that once Twilight was done with her little presentation, she would probably have no further need for Alex...

As her friends cheered on, Twilight leaned down towards Alex and whispered. “Alex… I promise that once we get back from Trotholm, I’ll make things right. You’ll see. Just be patient and everything will turn out good for us both...”

‘That’s ‘if’ we both get back…’ Alex muttered concerned.

*****

Few days later…

The night was young as the moon slowly rose to begin the night across the skies of Trotholm. In the busy streets, ponies were trotting about, either going home or heading for their nightly shifts.

For some ponies tonight however, the night was a special one. Tonight the streets were more crowded than usual and most ponies were trotting or cantering excitedly in one direction. The day had started with some very exciting news. Tonight, at Trotholm’s famous Academy for Science and Magic, a presentation was to be held. The city was abuzz with rumors of an extraordinary unveiling.

While the nature of the presentation was unknown, it had not only earned the visit from some of the most esteemed ponies of Trotholm Hoofbel Committee, but almost every dignitary from around Equus, including the Royal Princesses of Canterlot themselves!
Ponies of all ages lined as they eagerly waited to be let in the large Trotholm Academy where the presentation would take place. Over the entrance, a banner was hung in full view as it spelled tonight’s event in big letters;

SPECIAL HOOFBEL AWARD CEREMONY! TONIGHT, TWILIGHT SPARKLE UNVEILS!

Inside the Academy, the large auditorium was being packed. Rows and rows were filled as each pony found their spot. High above, pegasi flew about, finding their places on the balconies while the more reserved boxes were occupied by the high-classed ponies and dignitaries. In the Royal box, Princess Celestia and Princess Luna were already present.
On one side of the stage sat the esteemed members of the Hoofbel Committee. In the front row sat Twilight’s friends, excitedly waiting for the whole thing to start.
As soon as the last pony had entered and all the seats were filled, a great silence befell the auditorium as the Chairmare of the Hoofbel Committee trotted out across the stage and faced the audience.

“Fillies and Gentlecolts!” She eyed the Royal Sisters and bowed. “It is with great pleasure that I welcome everypony to this special unveiling.” The hall sounded with applause as every pony clopped and stomped their hooves in cheer.
“Tonight, our very special guest, Twilight Sparkle of Ponyville, will present to us the greatest discovery in all of Equestria!” The mere mention of Twilight’s name was met with cheers from her friends in the front row, especially Pinkie Pie, who bounced up and down excitement. “And so, without any adieu, I present to you, Twilight Sparkle!”

The Chairmare stepped off the podium as the crowd cheered and applauded the arrival of Twilight. She trotted uneasily out on stage, smiling nervously while trying to keep calm. Even though she had seen this over and over in her head, she hadn’t expected it to be THAT many ponies present.

Following close behind her was Spike, pushing a large box-shaped object on wheels, completely covered in a large blanket. He parked the object close to the podium next to Twilight and leaned against to take a breather and wipe off a sweat.
Trembling, Twilight cleared her throat and took a deep breath as she ascended the podium. Looking out towards the mass of excited ponies, she waited for the applause to die down before she spoke.

“Ahem! Th- thank you Miss Chairmare. Thank you, Members of the Committee.” She glanced down at her friends who smiled and waved at her.

“You can do it Twilight!”

“Who-hooo!”

Their smiles and cheers calmed her nerves and she became more relaxed and focused. “Thank you, everypony!” She then eyed Princess Celestia and Luna bowing from high above the audience in a royal box and bowed as well.

“Cough! My fellow ponies… Esteemed Members of the Committee… Your Royal Highnesses… For thousands of years we ponies have walked across the face of Equus. And in all that time, we have discovered and documented everything known to exist. Through the Great Plains and across the vast oceans, through the thickest jungles to the darkest depths, atop the tallest mountains to even the moon and the stars themselves, we believed that there was nothing else in the world but what we already knew. With all our science and magic, we believed there was only Equus.”

She paused for a bit as the crowd listened intently.

“For a long time, I, like you, believed there was nothing beyond the world Equus. Like you I thought ponies and every other sentient being on Equus were the only dominant species in the universe. A few days ago, my beliefs and thoughts were changed forever...”

She paused again as she stepped off the podium and trotted over to Spike. She whispered something in his ear and he immediately dashed off to fetch something as Twilight took responsibility for the unveiling.

“Tonight, my fellow ponies, I am proud to present to you the greatest discovery of all ponykind…”

Her horn flared as she magically removed the covering, revealing a cage and the occupant inside.

“Presenting… Alex, the human of Earth!”

Gasps and awe filled the auditorium. Alex was nearly blinded as he was blasted with lights and camera-flashes. As his eyes slowly got used to the bright lights, he stared wide-eyed at huge ensemble of ponies before him, all there just to see him. ‘Well, I guess this is it…’ he thought to himself as he slowly raised his hand, smiled and waved at the audience through the glass. There was even more awe in the air and more cameras flashed.

Both Celestia and Luna watched with great interest from the royal box. While an improvement from the last one, Celestia still found Alex's glass cage still somewhat unnecessary and rather demeaning, despite Twilight having reassured her it was only standard procedure. In truth, Twilight was more concerned that ponies would probably freak out if he wasn’t contained and that they would probably risk harming him more than he would harm them.

Twilight returned to the podium and faced the audience. “Now before I begin, are there any..?”

“Ooh! Ooh!” Pinkie Pie excitedly reached out her hoof. For some reason she was sporting glasses, notebook and a fedora with the word ‘PRESS’ labeled on it.

“Yes Pinkie?”

“Do humans love to party?”

“Uh…? Ahem! Well, I suppose he does like to party I guess… Are there-”

“Ooh! Ooh!”

“Yes Pinkie?”

“Do humans love cake? Because when you have a party you need to have a cake! Ooh! And cupcakes! Gotta have have cupcakes! And brownies and…”

“I’m sure he eats cake Pinkie. Now…”

“Are humans good kissers?”

“Huh?”

“I was thinking of setting up a kissing booth.”

A surprised Twilight shot an even surprised Alex a quick glance and blushed. “Well I wouldn’t know about that…”

“How does he taste?”

“W-What?”

“I mean, does he even taste good? I never got to try it and Dashie doesn’t seem to remember…”

“Pinkie Pie~!” sang Rainbow Dash menacingly through her gritted teeth as she glared at her. “Shut up~!” Alex just scratched his head. For some reason he didn’t recall that ever happening…

“And is he a really boy? He sounds like a girl sometimes. Maybe he’s a girl? Did you check? I couldn’t really tell because you see…” Pinkie was quickly silenced by Applejack and Rarity.

Twilight felt a sweat run down her forehead just as Spike returned with a large stack of paper.

“Twilight?”

“What? Oh! Just place it over here Spike.” Spike groaned as he dropped the heavy stack of papers on the podium, wiping sweat from his forehead before scampering off again.

Twilight levitated a piece of paper from the top of the stack and brought it up to her face. As she looked through it, she suddenly noticed the worried looks on everyponies faces. “What?”

“Is... Is that the report?” asked Rainbow Dash slightly worried.

Twilight eyed the stack of papers and giggled. “Snort! Relax everypony. These are just the written documents.”

A loud sigh of relief echoed through the auditorium.

“THIS is the report.” She pointed as Spike returned with a towering stack of more paper and placed them beside Twilight with a loud thump. Everypony’s jaws in the auditorium dropped and a loud groan from Rainbow Dash was heard.

This was going to take a while…

*****

The night rolled on as Twilight was nearing the end of her long, long report. She had talked much of her recent findings and with much vigor. By now many ponies in the audience had fallen asleep as loud snoring noises could be heard. Some members of the Committee struggled to keep their eyes open.
Even Alex had his face comically pressed up against the glass and snored loudly.

In the Royal Box, Celestia listened with great interest. Luna on the other hand had dozed off completely and was drooling.

Even her friends struggled to stay awake.

Applejack’s eyes were tired and bloodshot and she was barely able to get most of what Twilight was saying.

Fluttershy paid barely enough attention as she was too focused on Alex's well-being.

Rarity was busy reading an exciting novel she smuggled in.

Rainbow Dash was the first among them to give up and snored loudly.

Pinkie Pie was the only pony among them still wide awake and listening. She was also bound and gagged to prevent her from asking more ridiculous questions.

“…and that my fellow ponies, concludes my report!” The echoing applause of Pinkie Pie (who inexplicably freed herself at that moment) stirred the others out of their slumber and they quickly joined in, even though they never really got most of what Twilight had said. “Now before I finish, are there any final questions?”

Pinkie struggled and finally managed to remove her gag. “Puti! Just one! Do humans like to hide in the plumbing?”

“No, humans don’t hide in the plumbing… And is that even a REAL question?”

“Maybe? I just needed to know so I don’t need to check every time I have to go. Squee!” Twilight frowned at her.

“Alright everypony, settle down!” Everyone turned their attention to the Chairmare, who finally trotted out on stage, clapping her hooves. Her presence woke Alex from his sleep and he rubbed his eyes as he sat up.
“Thank you so much for that… insightful and… quite thorough report Miss Sparkle. It was very… enlightening.” she said with a forced smile. It was the longest report she had heard in years.

“Thank you Miss Chairmare.”

“You have truly made a marvelous discovery. You opened the eyes and minds of everypony in regards to the existence of life beyond Equus.” She reached behind her back and held out a medal. “Twilight Sparkle. As the Chairmare of the Hoofbel Committee, I present to you the Hoofbel Prize!”

As the medal was placed around her neck, Twilight’s face beamed with joy and happiness. It was just as she had imagined it. She kept her emotions in control though as she calmly relished in the applause she received. She smiled greatly as cameras flashed around her. All of her friends were proud of her.
Even Alex couldn’t help but to feel a bit happy for Twilight at that moment. She had finally gotten what she had dreamed of and he had been the cause of it.

Moments later, Twilight was joined by her friends as they ran up the stage. They cheered and hugged her, congratulating her for the award. Twilight then saw Princess Celestia and Luna as they too appeared on stage.

“That was a wonderful report Twilight.” she smiled. “Really… detailed.”

Twilight could barely contain herself. “Thank you Princess. Thank you so much…” She nearly cried. “But I couldn’t have done it without…” Twilight’s smile suddenly faded as she saw several unicorn ponies, dressed in black suits and wearing dark shades surround Alex. They used their magic and lifted the cage.

Alex sighed. He knew this was coming. He was an alien after all, and aliens are always claimed by the government and locked away for study eventually. He took one last look at Twilight, smiled sadly and quietly waved ‘bye’ as the Government Ponies levitated him away.

“Wait!” Twilight shouted and galloped after them. A white unicorn sporting the same outfit and shades appeared before her, blocking her path. “What is the meaning of this? Out of my way!”

Suddenly the Chairmare trotted up to her, waving the unicorn away before facing Twilight.

“What are they doing?” Twilight yelled. “Where are they taking Alex?”

“Don’t worry, Twilight.” The Chairmare said calmly. “We are taking him to Horse Groom Lake.”

“Horse Groom Lake? Area 53?”

“This human is perhaps the most, possibly THE most, fascinating creature ever to be encountered in Equestria. It calls for further study…”

“But… But I told you everything… I even answered all the questions!” She looked at the Chairmare with concern. She didn’t expect to have Alex taken away from her so soon. Not after everything she had promised him.

“And like I said, it was really insightful.” The Chairmare answered proudly. “But there is obviously more to find out. So many secrets we could learn. We are only taking over so you don’t need to worry about him anymore. I assure you, he will be well taken care off. I know a lot of ponies who’d love to study him. It may take years, but eventually we’ll have everything we need to know.” She trotted away to join the Government Ponies and supervise Alex’s trip.

“Everything? Years?” Twilight didn’t like the sound of that. She didn’t even like the sound of Area 53.

The details were sketchy and there were many rumors, but new and unknown creatures that were found in Equestria would be taken to a secret underground facility, locked away from pony eyes to be safely studied and researched upon. She imagined Alex being locked up in some sterile room, being observed closely by ponies who wore goggles that seemed to emit a soulless glimmer in the light.
She imagined him being strapped to a table as masked surgeons surrounded him, readying their sharp implements to find out what made him tick.
She imagined herself one day being finally allowed to see him, only to find a shriveled and pale old bearded man cowering in a corner and fantasizing about the world outside...

Twilight shook her head violently, forcing away those horrible thoughts. While there was no proof of such a thing, she couldn’t just stand by and let them take Alex away. Twilight looked to her friends who were just as concerned as her. She even looked to Celestia for help.

“Celestia?”

“I’m sorry Twilight… Even though I and Luna are royalty, there are certain laws that even we have sworn to uphold and I can’t just intervene in other ponies affairs unless there is a threat to my subjects or Equestria.”

“What? But Tia-” Luna was about to say something before Celestia cut her off.

“I’m afraid this is something you have to solve on your own. And you better make it quick…”

As Alex was being taken further away, Twilight bit her lip with great concern. It couldn’t end like this. It just couldn’t! Looking down at her Hoofbel, Twilight suddenly knew what she had to do. With a determined look on her face she marched over.

“Excuse me, Miss Chairmare!” The Chairmare signaled the others to stop and turned around to face her. “You can’t take Alex!” Alex’s head sprung up as he too heard Twilight. He leaned forward and listened closely as Twilight argued her case. “You can’t lock him up in some secret installation! You can’t because… because I want to study him!”

“What?”

“Please! I-I made a promise, and I would be unable to live with myself if I didn’t hold true to that promise. I ask you to leave him in my care. I’ll watch him day and night! Please! I… I…” She looked down on her medal and painfully bit her lip. “I’ll… I’ll give up my medal! I’ll give it all up, if only to have him back…” Her eyes welled up as this was the hardest thing she had ever wanted do. Even her friends gasped at this. Princess Celestia said nothing but was profoundly proud of her at that moment.

“I… I…” The Chairmare stuttered. She hadn’t expected this. Even the Government ponies glanced at one another in surprise. Alex was speechless. As much as he didn’t want to be locked away, he didn’t believe Twilight would just give up something she had worked so hard to achieve. He should know. After all, he made it hard! “Twilight Sparkle! Do you realize what you’re saying?”

“Fame and recognition should not come at the cost of someone’s freedom, especially if that someone is a friend from beyond. In my excitement I forgot what was more important and I’ve lied and hurt him in ways I regret even now. I’m supposed to know all there is about friendship and somehow I failed him.” She tearfully looked up at Alex. “Alex… I am SO sorry for treating you like this. I’m sorry for EVERYTHING I’ve done and I wish to make it up to you and be your friend,” She then looked back the Chairmare. “…starting right now!” She suddenly took off her medal and tearfully gave it back to her.
“Here! Take it back!I don’t want it anymore! Just let Alex go! Set him free, please..!” she choked.

There was tense silence in the air as the Chairmare looked at Twilight’s medal and then back at Twilight. Suddenly, a warm and comforting smile appeared on her face.

“It takes a lot of courage to do what you’re doing.” She handed the medal back to Twilight. “Keep the medal, Twilight… Keep it. You deserve it.” She then waved at the Government Ponies, who looked at one-another and compliantly stepped away while lowering Alex gently to the ground. “And you can have Alex back. He’s all yours.”

Twilight beamed with joy. “Oh thank you! Thank you!”

“Just promise us that you’ll send your reports and findings to us.” She added. “We would be most grateful if you did.”

“I agree…” Everyone turned their heads as Princess Celestia approached them. “This could be very educational for Twilight. And I think young Alex would much prefer to live in Ponyville and learn a thing or two as well.” She winked at the Chairmare.

“I suppose you’re right.” The Chairmare winked back.

“Wouldn’t you agree?” Celestia asked Alex and winked at him.

“Of course.” Alex winked back, quite relived of the outcome.

“I hope you learned a valuable lesson from all this?” Celestia asked Twilight.

“I have! Yet after that has happened, and after everything you just heard, I don’t think I worthy to still be considered you student anymore…” Twilight hung her head low, before feeling Celestia’s hoof underneath her chin. She looked up at her and saw the warm smile on her face.

“Twilight… What you did just now makes me more than proud that you are my student. Even the most experienced ones lose themselves at times and you are no exception. Not even me!” she laughed. “And you did do a lot of impressive research. Although next time, don’t be TOO thorough.” she winked.

Twilight blushed and smiled. “I will…”

The Chairmare then turned towards Twilight. “Alex is lucky to have a friend like you. Have a pleasant trip back to Ponyville. I expect to see the first report sometime this month.”

“I shall, Miss Chairmare!” She straightened up. “And I will! I promise!”

As the Chairmare trotted away, a Government Pony suddenly trotted up to Twilight. His horn suddenly flared up in a bright red light, blinding her. Her eyes swirled and she staggered about in a daze before regaining her sight and posture.

“You have never heard of Horse Groom Lake or anything about Area 53!” The pony said gruffly.

“Knock it off, Agent Filly.” Another Government Pony called out to him. “You know that doesn’t work.”

“Don’t call me Agent Filly!” He half-whispered annoyed and trotted away embarrassed.

Twilight groaned and shook her head, but she was soon joined by her friends as they huddled around her and cheered. They couldn’t be happier to know that Alex was coming back with them. Pinkie Pie was literally overjoyed. She went about spraying confetti and fireworks as she bounced around in joy.

“I’m so proud of you Twilight!” Celestia smiled. “You were willing to sacrifice your greatest moment to save a dear friend. Such a sacrifice is hard and it shows just how much you care. She was right Twilight. Alex is lucky to have a friend like you.”

“Thank you your Highness…” said Twilight. She then looked up at Alex, who pressed against the glass, looking extremely grateful. “Everything is alright now Alex! You’re free!” She then rubbed her hoof nervously. “Alex… I’m sorry about everything. I hope you can still forgive me and my friends?”

“Of course.” He smiled “Thank you Twilight…” Overjoyed Twilight smiled back at him. “Um… Any chance I could get out of here now?”

She blinked before noricing the cage and smiled with a large sheepish grin. “Of course! Squee!”

*****

It had been a month now since they came back from Trotholm. Inside the Golden Oaks Library Twilight lay quietly on a soft pillow on the floor, writing down her latest Friendship letter to the princess. She paused and smiled as she took a moment to watch Alex who sat across from her reading a book as well.

Alex’s life had indeed taken a very interesting turn ever since they came back to Ponyville. Even though she was now responsible for him, he was free to roam and do whatever he pleased. No longer was he being hounded or pursued. Instead ponies all over town greeted him with smiles and treated him like an equestrian citizen.

Princess Celestia had been generous enough to help accommodate for Alex’s stay with Twilight. Since then, Twilight became like a teacher for Alex, teaching him all about Equestria and helped him familiarize himself with the different types of ponies and their magic.

Twilight also learned much from Alex as well. She would ask him more about his home world and use her underground laboratory for more detailed (and harmless) research.
At one point she was fascinated to learn that there were ponies on his world too, even though evolution had taken a slightly different course.
She was even amazed to learn that science was the ruling factor of his world, and began to respect him more and more when he told her what he knew of humanity’s hardships and triumphs. She couldn’t help but envy him as she realized she and her friends had it way easier than his people…

As time went on, he soon became like a third assistant for Twilight, helping Spike out with arranging books and keeping the place neat. He was surprised to find that working in a library wasn’t as boring as he believed. While working, he would sometimes observe Twilight as she tried mastering a new spell, always hoping that something hilarious would happen…

And while Alex spent a lot of time with Twilight, he did also interact with her friends from time to time…

*****

Alex managed to pay Applejack back for the apples he ate by helping her out with some odd jobs around the farm. While she never got the chance to make a fortune out of him, she was impressed with his working skills. She apologized for her behavior and even wanted to hire him as a farm hand.
She even went as far as practically making him a part of the Apple Family.

Fluttershy never got the chance to care of Alex like she wanted, but she did however provide for him a house in which to live as a sign of apology. Moving it closer to Ponyville, it became a second home with all the comforts that he required.
Fluttershy would visit him regularly to check on him and see how he was doing.

Pinkie Pie never got to throw Alex his ‘Good Bye Human’ party. Instead she threw him a ‘Welcome Human’ party and it turned out to be a huge success. She apologized for her behavior and was happy to see Alex getting along with the other ponies and that they in turn got along with him.

Even though she had lost her pet, Rarity never gave up on her creativity. In an attempt to salvage her ruined dress, she unexpectedly created a design so unique and so retro that it became the talk around Canterlot. Needless to say, her dress earned her more than enough Bits to repair her boutique and buy more supplies.
Seeing that Alex had been responsible for ruining her dress in the first place, she gave him his share of the profit for the trouble she put him through. She even offered him a time at the spa as a sign of good will.

Rainbow Dash forgave Alex for the troubles he had caused her, just as long as he forgave her for acting like a real jerk. She felt really bad about her behavior and promised to never bully him again. She even went as far as wanting him to punch her just to make things even. Alex didn’t punch her, but instead forgave her and pranked her with a buzzer he had borrowed from Pinkie Pie.
Surprisingly enough, their wild chase had actually inspired her with some ideas for some new moves in which to impress the Wonderbolts with during their visit.

The CMC would visit Alex often, to play with him and tell him about their adventures in crusading for their cutie marks. They still didn’t earn any, but always remained in high spirit (much to the painful chagrin of Alex’s ears). At times they even invited him to join in and help them, often resulting in hilarious hijinks.
They apologized for the jar treatment they gave him, and Alex just found them too adorable to stay mad at for that.

While it did take a while, Alex eventually forgave Luna for bringing him to Equestria. Luna made it her solemn vow to watch over Alex and to make sure nopony and nothing threatened him. On occasion she would visit Alex in his dreams as often as she could and through his creative mind, they had many grand and fun adventures together.

With the magical tether binding Alex to the mirror gone, Celestia eventually admitted to herself that humanity probably wasn’t ready for her and her ponies just yet. Still, when she told Alex about her true intentions, he did feel rather embarrassed after that. Still, that didn’t mean all was lost. She continued her work on the mirror, and with new notes based on Luna’s actions, she believed the answer to cross the barrier safely was very close…
In return for him being a good sport in letting her and her ponies hunt him, Celestia let Alex ride her and he had her parade through both Canterlot and Ponyville, earning a lot of surprised looks from her subjects.

*****

Twilight looked up at the Hoofbel medal that decorated the wall above the mantelpiece. She then eyed Alex who still sat comfortably on a pillow while enjoying the book. She was reminded of the day she nearly sacrificed it all so that he would be safe. Her eyes returned back to her book as she chuckled silently to herself, remembering everything that happened before Trotholm. It had been a wild ride, but everything had worked out just fine. She couldn’t be happier.

Then why was he so sad? In the past few weeks that followed, she started to notice a change in Alex. A sense of sadness and longing…

“Alex?”

“Hm?” He took his eyes off the book.

“I think we need to talk…” After finishing her letter, she got up and trotted over to him.

“About what?”

She looked him carefully in the eyes. “Look, I know you probably don’t think I notice things, but I do. You’ve been trying to hide it, but I’ve seen it every day these past weeks.” She moved closer and sat down beside him. “Is something wrong? Do you want to talk about it?”

Alex looked at her, unsure whether or not to tell her. “I don’t know, Twilight…” he sighed. “It’s complicated…”

“But I’m your friend. You can tell me.” She raised her hoof and placed it comfortingly over his arm. Alex looked at it before drawing his attention back to her.

“Twilight… I’ve been with you for over a month now. I couldn’t imagine being anywhere else. But recently I’ve…” He paused as he sighed.

“You’ve what..?”

“I don’t know, Twilight…” He sighed before answering. “It’s just… I’ve been feeling so alone…”

“But you’re not alone.” she smiled. “You have me. And Spike. And Owlicious.” She pointed at her pet owl who sat on a perch next to a window.

“Hoo!”

“You silly.”

“Hoo!”

“You.”

“Hoo!”

“I said…” Twilight groaned but then giggled as she realized what she was doing. She turned her attention back to Alex, who was surprisingly unmoved by the whole thing.

“I know that Twilight. But that’s not what I mean.” He sighed as he seemed to see something in Twilight that made him remember. “I mean… Aside from everypony else here I’m… I’m alone…”

As he put down his book about the different races and cultures of Equus, Twilight’s eyes suddenly grew wide as realization hit her like a ton of pianos. She couldn’t believe she had forgotten…

He missed his own kind!

“I know I can’t go home and I’ve accepted that. But sometimes I just wish that…”

Twilight thought for a moment. She knew there was only one way to solve this. She hadn’t given it much thought as it caused him a lot of grief. She had promised herself to never do it again, but now it seemed it was needed more than ever.

“You know what Alex?” Twilight earned his attention. “I’ve been thinking… Maybe we should take a break from all this reading today and instead go outside and enjoy ourselves?”

Alex cocked his eyebrow surprise. “Now? But…”

“Yes… Now! You and me!” Twilight got up and backed away. Her horn suddenly glowed and she was covered in a bright light. Alex, Spike and Owlicious shielded their eyes until as the light lasted a few moments before eventually fading away.
Looking back at her again, Alex gawked and his eyes went wide. “Correction… You and ‘Violet’.”

Alex couldn’t believe it. Twilight had transformed herself back into the human girl Violet! Memories of how she used this form to trap him slowly came back.

“Twilight..? You-”

“I know what you’re going to say Alex…” Twilight sighed. “Last time I used this form, I deceived you and hurt in ways I can’t possibly imagine. I know Violet is probably the last person you’d want to see, but please give me a chance to make up for that…” She reached out her hand. “I know it’s not much, but right now I’m probably the closest thing you’ll get…”

Alex just stared at her.

“Alex? Would you care to join me for some milkshake at Sugarcube Corner? My treat.”

Alex looked at her hand. He then looked back at her and smiled. “I won’t lie Twilight. I’ve been thinking of her ever since I moved in here.” He reached out and took her hand as he stood up. “And I forgave her a long time ago back in Trotholm when you saved me.”

Twilight smiled as a small tear ran down her face.

“Sure I’ll join you!”

Holding hands, they both exited the library.

“So… Does this mean that you’ll..?”

Twilight laughed. “Don’t get used to it too much. I’m still a pony underneath. Maybe… once or twice a week.”

Alex laughed. “Fair enough.”

“Have fun you two!” waved Spike as they went out the door. “Just remember to bring her back by nine and don't do anything I wouldn't do!”

“SPIKE!?”

“LOOK! OVER THERE!” Both Alex and Twilight turned towards the sound of the new voice and saw a mint colored unicorn galloping at full speed towards them. “IT’S ANOTHER HUMAN!!!” She leapt at Twilight.

“Uh oh…”

“MINE!”

THE END

Applejack Wins

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Chapter 17: The Winner is…

Nopony had grabbed Alex!

This only meant one thing... That one of them had claimed Alex ahead of the others. With controlled excitement, all three levitated Alex towards them.

Suddenly, they felt a thug. It was then when they realized that there was a rope tied around him. Pulling Alex further, they were able to see the owner of the rope as she was pulled out of the pile. All three of them hung their jaws with amazement. Celetia smiled and cleared her throat.

“The hunt is over! The winner is… APPLEJACK!”

“Aaaaw…” the other ponies groaned with disappointment.

“YAY!” cheered Pinkie Pie.

Applejack blinked several times before finally realizing what had happened. “Ah caught ‘im?! Ah caught ‘im?!? Oh Sweet Apple Cider, AH’ CAUGHT HIM!” Wasting no time, Applejack raced over with her lasso and tied him up. Before Alex had completely recovered, he had been completely roped up from his torso to his legs.

“YE~HAAAAW!!!”

“Congratulations Applejack!” said Celestia as she and the other ponies came over to congratulate her as well.

“APPLEJACK CAUGHT ALEX! APPLEJACK CAUGHT ALEX! YAY!”

“Thank ya’ll so much yer Highness!” Applejack removed her Stetson and bowed. The others were happy for Applejack, but she could easily tell that they weren’t really thrilled about her getting Alex first. “No hard feelin’s ya’ll, Ah hope?”

Her friends looked at eachother, followed by nervous head and scratching, laughing and series of

“What? Us?” said Twilight.

“Why would we be…” asked Rainbow, hiding her disappointment.

“Surely you…” laughed Rarity.

“Ya caught Alex? Ya caught Alex!!” yelled Applebloom suddenly as she skipped around and cheered.

“Sure did!” said Applejack as she grabbed her playfully ruffled her mane. She then turned and faced everyone. “Now hear tis ya’ll! Come to the marketplace in Ponyville tomorrow and Ah’ll treat ya’ll to the best thing Ponyville has seen in years.”

“Like what..?” asked Twilight.

Applejack smiled. “Well… Chucks… It’s kind of a surprise…”

“Ooh! A surprise? I love surprises!” said Pinkie squealed.

“All will be revealed tomorrow. Make sure ya’ll meet up, ya hear.”

“That’s great! Does tis mean Ah can have ‘im after yer done?” Applebloom asked hopefully while fixing her hair.

Applejack smiled at her little sister. “Now now Applebloom…” She playfully rubbed her mane. “Don’t ya’ll get too excited now. Ah caught ‘im, therefor Ah gets to decide what we do. Besides, Ah got some big ideas fer our friend here and if we hurry, we might jus’ have time to practice.”

“Practice?”

Applejack then trotted over to Alex and gently placed her hooves on his shoulders as he looked all but utterly defeated. “Aw… Cheer up hon. Ah promise ya’ll love our family.” She then pulled Alex up on his feet and gently pulled him over on her back, fastening him tightly with what was left of the rope. “Come now little sis. Let’s go home.”

The ponies silently watched as Applejack and Applebloom strode calmly into the sunset with Alex all tied up on Applejack’s back. They didn’t understand it, but for some reason there was the sound of a gentle banjo playing. They all then glanced at Pinkie, who happened to be playing one.

“What?”

“So, what kind of ideas do ya got for ‘im?” asked Applebloom.

“Ya’ll see little sis. Ah guaranty it will change our lives forever.” Applejack smiled. Alex merely sighed, not really looking forward to what was waiting for him when they arrived.

“Could you at least untie me? I can walk you know…”

“Don’t fret. After all that there runnin’ around, yer better of takin’ it easy. Besides, it’ll be awhile befur we get back to the farm n’ after that we got a lot of planning to do. So fer now ya’ll jus’ relax an’ enjoy the ride.” Alex had to admit it did beat walking all the way, although having him all hog-tied up just prevent him from falling off seemed a bit excessive. “Ya know… Ah neva got to finish namin’ all them apples fer ya back then. So hows ‘bout Ah finish namin’ all again right now, startin’ from the beginnin’?” she grinned.

“What..?” Now Alex understood the real reason why he was all roped up. This was payback for the barnyard tussle.

“Wanna join in Applebloom?”

“Sure! But can we sing it?”

“Alrighty then!”

“WHAT? No wait-!”

“There’s Adams Pearmain, Aia Ilu, Airlie Red Flesh n’ Akane~!”

“…There’s Akero, Alkmene n’ Allington Pippin~!”

Alex groaned, unable to shield his ears as his arms were all tied up.

“…Ambroisa, Anna, Annurca n’ Antonovka~!”

*****

The next morning, Ponyville woke up to a new and peculiar sight. There was a large stage being set up at the marketplace. At first they believed that a familiar showmare had once again showed up to ‘impress’ them with her great and powerful acts.
Their suspicions were later refuted as Applebloom was seen plastering a poster to a wall. They approached it to read what was on it and their eyes soon widened with excitement. It didn’t take long for all of Ponyville rushed over to the marketplace just to get a glimpse of Alex.

On the poster was a picture of Alex on a unicycle performing some kind of joggling act, while sporting a rather forced smile. Three stars with more pictures of Alex doing various tricks were also edited in. Below the pictures was a cartoon drawing of Applejack wearing a ringmaster’s top hat saying:

“’The Apple Family proudly presents: Alex the Great!’ Is this for real? A.J. is putting up a circus show?” asked Rainbow somewhat surprised as she read the poster out loud. The rest of the Mane Six and the Crusaders, minus Applejack and Applebloom, read the poster too and everyone seemed to have mixed feelings about it. “I always thought she had a bit more imagination than this.”

“Poor Alex…” Fluttershy muttered quietly, feeling not so thrilled about this whole setup.

“Alex is a visitor from another world!” said Twilight rather upset. “He’s not some circus animal! I sure hope Applejack knows what she’s doing.”

“Come on Twilight! It’s Applejack! I’m sure she knows EXACTLY what she’s doing.” said Pinkie cheerfully as she skipped ahead, following a herd of ponies moving in the same direction towards the Market. “You guys coming?”

“Might as well…” Rarity sighed. “I do at least hope she has him wearing something dignified.”

*****

Applejack peeked out of the scene curtains and beheld the vast crowd before her. “Boy Howdy! Tis sure became quite the turn up! Ah don’t think Ah’ve ever seen so many ponies!”

“Applejack… Do I really have to wear this?”

Applejack pulled away from the curtains and looked at Alex as he was wearing clown make-up, equipped with red nose, wig and baggy pants. “Why not? It looks good on ya. Besides, everypony likes clowns.”

“Not everyone…” Alex frowned. “When I agreed to do this for you, you didn’t say anything about clowns.”

“Ah’m sorry Sugar. Ah jus’ figured that maybe if there were foals in the audience, they might have some fun as well.” She smiled. “And… Because of Ah jus’ happen to like Rodeo Clowns Squee!”

“I guess…” Alex wasn’t too keen on clowns, let alone being one. Normally he would’ve protested against this, but since Applejack caught him fair and square, he just had to bite the bullet and see just where this circus was going.

“A.J., could Ah have a word with ya..?” Alex noticed Big Mac approaching them. It felt kinda weird hearing him utter more than ‘Eeyup’ and ‘Nnope’ for once.

“Now Big Mac? But the show’s ‘bout to start.”

“Ah jus’ think we should wait a few more hours. Tis stage was put up rather real fast overnight and Ah still got more nails to hammer. Not to mention a few loose screws-”

“Hours?!? Big Mac! Tis here is our chance to earn our first bits to make up for wastin’ our whole day chasin’ Alex. If we play our cards right, we might jus’ make up fer that.” Big Mac still felt unsure about it.
“Relax big brother. Nothin’ bad is gonna happen. Sure tis stage was raised pretty darn fast but we Apples are good at buildin’ stuff. Why Ah reckon tis here stage is as solid a barn.” She lightly kicked a post that suddenly slid and nearly gave way. Applejack quickly secured it before throwing a rather concerned Big Mac and Alex a big sheepish grin. “See? It’s okay.”

“A.J…”

“Don’t worry non Big Mac. Jus keep workin’ on them loose screws and be careful aroun’ touchin’ stuff.”

“A.J… Ah really think-”

“Listen Big Mac! Ah promised mah friends a show n' they're gonna get a show! Jus' leave the thinkin’ to me and jus' go n’ make sure them screws are fastened.”

Big Mac cocked his eyebrow at Applejack and trotted away while wondering if she didn’t have any screws that needed tightening. He couldn’t shake the feeling something bad was going to happen.

Even Alex started to wonder if this was a good idea-

“Applejack?” They then heard the voice of Applebloom as she entered the backstage. “Alex? Are ya guys ready? Ah finished puttin’ up the posters and-AAAH!!! RUN APPLEJACK! A MONSTER!”

“APPLEBLOOM! That’s Alex!”

“Oh! Sorry ‘bout that! Squee!” Alex merely rolled his eyes. “Why ya’ll dressed up like a monster?”

“Applebloom..?” Applejack hissed. “Isn’t ther someplace ya’ll ought to be?”

“Uh..?” Applebloom then noticed the look in Applejack’s eyes. “Oh yeah! Well good luck out thar Alex! Break a leg!”

‘If I’m not careful I just might…’ groaned Alex while drying off some nervous sweat from his forehead.

“Ya okay there Sugar?”

“Applejack, do we really have to do this? I’m getting pretty nervous right now.”

“Jus’ remember what we taught ya. Dazzle them with the easiest ones. Once we’ve got them all warmed up, we’ll move over to the big stuff!”

“But I only had a few hours of practice. Are you even sure I can do this? I just don’t think I can…”

“Nonsense! Yer a born natural n’ Ah know ya can do it. Ya’ll be fine! An’ if ya feel nervous, jus’ do what Ah did when Ah was nervous. Jus’ picture them all in their underwear.” she smiled.

Alex just stared at her with a deadpanned expression. “Thanks... I’ll try…” He went out on the stage behind the curtain and waited for the show to start. ‘Still can’t believe I’m doing this.’ He took a deep breath. ‘Shouldn’t be too hard… Just picture them in their- WAIT A MINUTE! THEY AREN’T WEARING ANY UNDERWEAR!!!’

*****

The Marketplace was filled with ponies of every age. Twilight and her friends had managed to secure as spot in the front, getting a better view of things. After a few minutes Applejack finally entered the stage, wearing a Dixieland outfit with red striped west and a straw hat.

“Greetin’s everypony and welcome ya’ll to the Apple Family’s first ever traveling family showcase. We tha proud Apple Family of Ponyville are pleased to present to ya’ll the first ever non-pony performer and artist. He’s completely out of tis here world! Ya’ll probably seen ‘im gallopin’ about n’ causing quite the ruckus and excitement yesterday? Well, today he appears befur ya’ll now to show off his great talents.”

Ponies cheered and applauded. Applejack glanced at the barrel Applebloom was overseeing and saw all the Bits that the ponies we’re emptying in. She could already taste a big success.

“So without any-”

BANG! CRASH!

There was a loud commotion back stage. “Mah bad!” yelled Big Mac.

“Uh… Like Ah said, without further delay, I bring ya Alex tha Great!”

Ponies applauded as Applejack left the stage, waiting excitedly for Alex to appear. There was a drumroll and a cymbal quickly following as the curtain rose and more cheering and applause erupted, only to quickly silence as they all saw Alex standing there in his rather sad clown getup, looking rather both lost and nervous.

“Um… Ta-Daa~!?” he smiled weakly. Somewhere in the quiet audience, a foal started to cry.

‘A clown..? Really?’ Twilight facehoofed. Her presentation of him at the Hoofbel Committee would’ve treated him with a lot more dignity than this. ‘Does Applejack have no shame?’

Alex just stood there and watched, seeing all the unreadable faces of the ponies he was going to entertain. He began to sweat even more.

“Psst! Alex!” He heard the whisper of Applejack in the corner, gesturing him to get one with it. “Come on! Like we rehearsed!”

Alex took a deep breath and calmed down. He then raised his hands and motioned his body while pretending to touch an invisible wall. Applejack facehoofed.

“Ooh~!” said a mint colored unicorn in the audience and soon everypony started to pay close attention.

He did so repeatedly around him and began to mimic himself being trapped in a box.

“What is he doing?” asked Rainbow Dash confused while cocking an eyebrow.

“I’m not sure…” said Fluttershy.

“Looks like he’s making an invisible box…” said Twilight.

“Ooh~! Neat!” said Pinkie, while munching on some popcorn. “I wonder how he’s going to get out that?”

Alex had to mentally groan. He had decided to open his act with a mime trick he had seen before coming to Equestria. He figured it was a good start before he endangered his life with the act Applejack had explained to him. He tried telling her he needed more practice but she was too excited to get it all set up that she didn’t want to hear any more talk about it.
Still, everything seemed to go smoothly, everypony in the audience was really quiet. Maybe he was THAT good..?

“Come on! I didn’t pay to see a Mime Act!” yelled a random pony in the audience. “Do something!”

Or not…

With a sight Alex ended his mime act and went over to a corner and picked up some balls that were waiting for him. He also eyed the unicycle beside them and cringed. While he did sort of get the hang of it, he barely held on for more than 5 seconds. Swallowing nervously, Alex got on his unicycle and went ahead with the act.

Ponies soon became entranced as Alex balanced uneasily on the unicycle. He wobbled unsteadily towards the middle of the stage, working hard to keep his balance. He could see the faces of the ponies as they slowly began to grow more bored and impatient with his antics. He decided to go for the balls and began to joggle them. The interest and excitement in everypony’s eyes seemed to return at first, only to suddenly change into loud gasps as Alex suddenly lost his balance and fell face first on the floor.

BAM!

“Ouch…” Applejack cringed. “You okay there Alex?” she whispered. Alex got up and made a thumbs up. Applejack was relieved. “He’s okay foalks!” she laughed nervously. She started to wonder now if this really was such a good idea.

Alex got back on the unicycle and tried again. He seemed to get a better hang on it, only to fall flat on his back 10 seconds later. He kept trying and failing and eventually the audience began to look frustrated and bored beyond belief. If this was supposed to be a joke, it was a terrible one.
It wasn’t long before the first tomato was sent flying and hit Alex square in the face.

SPLAT!

Wiping it off, Alex knew he was crashing and burning. Despite his now weak attempts at salvaging the show for Applejack, his random antics were met with more boo’s and fruit tossed at him.

“Well… this turned ugly really fast…” said Twilight feeling embarrassed and sorry for Alex. Everyone shared her sentiments. Pinkie however just laughed.

“HAHAHAHAHA! He’s really funny! More! More!”

“Now hold on! Hold on!” said Applejack as she quickly cantered out on the stage trying to calm things down. She quickly ushered him away to keep him from being pelted by more non-apple items. “He’s jus’ warmin’ up foalks! Nothin’ to be upset ‘bout!”

“Warming up? What a joke! It doesn’t look like he knows what he’s doing! I want my money back!”

“Now now! Ahehe… Ah promised ya’ll a show an’ a show ya’ll shall get…” Applejack gulped. She didn’t see that one coming.

“Are ya okay Alex?” asked Applebloom as she handed him a towel to wipe away the fruit and vegetable juices.

“I’m fine Applebloom…” He looked at Applejack trying to calm the audience. “This could’ve gone better… I’m sorry I messed up. I’m just not good at it…”

Applebloom glanced at the unicycle. “Come on Alex! What ya’ll need is self-confidance!” She cantered out on stage, picked up the unicycle and got on it with little effort. “See? It ain’t so hard.” She started to pedal around the stage. Alex watched her go and couldn’t help but feel really impressed and shameful at the same time. She zoomed around on stage and seemed to enjoy herself greatly. “Look at me! Weee~!”

“WEEEE~!” yelled Pinkie as she joined in on the cheering.

Hearing the commotion behind her, Applejack turned and saw her sister. “Applebloom? What are ya doin’? Get off that this instant!”

“It’s okay Applejack! It’s easy! Look!” Applebloom was really in the zone. She closed her eyes and cheered some more. “Wohoo! This is great! Maybe Ah can earn mah cutiemark in- WOAH!” Applebloom suddenly lost her balance. She wobbled uncontrollably around the stage before she finally collided with one of the support beams that held up the curtains. It was instantly knocked loose and everything suddenly started to shake as a chain reaction was set in motion.

Behind the stage, Big Mac just finished hammering down some nails in a board, before the nails suddenly shot back out due to the board suddenly bending. “Uh oh! Nnope! NNOPE!!!”

“LANDSAKES!” yelled Applejack as boards and nails suddenly came loose and started to rain down on them. Big Mac had warned her that the stage wasn’t finished.
“UH OH! RUN EVERYPONY! IT’S COMIN’ DOWN!!!” Realizing the danger, the audience quickly scattered, including Twilight and her friends. Applejack immediately took cover away from the falling debris. Looking back, she saw Alex trying to avoid getting hit as he too ran for cover. “ALEX!” she quickly grabbed her lasso and quickly pulled Alex to safety just before he was hit by a spot light. With Alex safe, she quickly turned her attention to Applebloom. “APPLEBLOOM! GET OUT OF THERE!”

Applebloom dodged falling debris left and right and was nearly hit by a heavy spot light. Overcome with a sudden sense of relief, she didn’t notice a sandbag that suddenly fell right in front of her, causing her to trip and hit the floor hard.

“Oof!”

“APPLEBLOOM!”

Dazed and struggling to get up, Applebloom didn’t have the strength to move as the stage roof was about to give way. Applejack tried to use her lasso again but was now too stressed and concerned for her sister to get it ready.

“Applebloom! Look out!” Ignoring his own safety, Alex stormed out onto the stage and threw himself on top of Applebloom to shield her.

“ALEX!”

Within seconds, the entire stage roof finally came down. Applejack watched helplessly in horror as both Applebloom and Alex were caught right in the middle of the falling debris. At that moment, Big Mac galloped onto the scene and dove straight towards them just as the whole thing came crashing down, covering everything in smoke and dust.

“BIG MAC! NO!!!”

CRASH!

When the dust settled, the stage was revealed to be a complete mess. There was no sign of Applebloom, Big Mac or Alex. Applejack quickly deduced they were all buried somewhere beneath the rubble. Wasting no time, she rushed the stage, trying to pull and kick away bent metal and broken boards while digging through the wreckage.

“HELP! SOMEPONY HELP ME!!” Applejack cried. She was quickly joined by her friends who immediately rushed the stage and dove in to unbury Alex and her siblings. More ponies soon returned to the scene and participated in the rescue effort.

“Hang on!” yelled Twilight, using her magic to lift away as much debris as possible. “Come on everypony! Dig faster!”

“Hang in there squirt!” yelled Rainbow Dash. “We’re coming!”

Everypony around them looked on with concern as they worked hard to clear away the stage. Some prayed to Celestia that all three were alright while other lend whatever hoof they could to help. Everypony was worried. Applejack however had it worse.

“Dig! Dig faster!” yelled Applejack as she stood on a large pile of debris and tried to pull away a large piece of broken board that was stuck and refused to budge. “Oh consarnit! Ah’m so sorry! What was Ah thinkin’?” she cried. “Applebloom! Big Mac! ALEX!”

Suddenly the pile beneath Applejack shook and she jumped off just as something big and red quickly surfaced. It was Big Mac!

“BIG MAC!?!”

Slightly bruised and filthy, he emerged from the pile virtually unharmed and pushed away the broken debris while uncovering a lightly scuffed Alex as he was still huddled protectively over a completely unharmed Applebloom.
“Alex! Applebloom!” Applejack cried. She wasted no time pulling her sister out and giving her the hug of a lifetime. “Yer alright! Oh Thank Celestia, yer alright!”

“Of course Ah’m alright!” said Applebloom. “Alex saved me.”

“And Big Mac saved me.” Alex smiled, winching painfully the moment he tried to raise his right arm. Applejack quickly noticed his injured arm and cantered over to take a look at it.

“Oh no… Alex… Yer hurt.” she whimpered.

“It’s just a bruise. I’ll live.”

Applejack, her eyes brimming over with tears, suddenly hugged him. “Ah’m so sorry Alex! Ah won’t eva put ya through that again!” They hugged for a while before Applejack pulled away and dried her eyes.
“Ah… Ah owe ya an apology Alex. Ah neva wanted ya’ll to get hurt. Ah jus’ wanted to help mah family. I thought that if Ah jus’ showed ya off and amazed everypony Ah could some earn money for mah family. Instead Ah let it all go too far. Ah’m no better than them Flim n’ Flam Brothers.”

“Applejack, no!” said Applebloom. “Yer not-”

“Ah am! Face it Applebloom, Ah’ve been a dumb pony. No scratch that! Ah’ve been a dumb SILLY pony.” She hugged Alex some more, careful not to touch his bruised arm. “Ah am SO sorry Alex. Ah don’t deserve any forgiveness from ya. Ah should’ve treated ya’ll better. Ah’m not goin’ to do tis anymore. Ah’m done with tis’ here show business and instead Ah’ll treat ya like a pony from now on!”

Twilight and the rest of the Mane Six couldn’t help but shed a few tears themselves.

“That’s… It’s good to hear you say that Applejack.” Alex wasn’t too sure about the ‘pony’ part, but everything else she said seemed very honest and sincere. “I forgive you Applejack. I’m just glad no one got seriously hurt.”

“Indeed it is.”

Everypony turned in surprise and saw Celestia and Luna stepping past the crowd towards the ruined stage. Every pony bowed and quickly cleared the way for them.

“Is everypony alright?” Celestia asked.

“Yes yer Highness!” said Applejack. “But Alex…”

“Let me see your arm.” Alex slowly lifted his arm. While it didn’t look bad, it did hurt quite a bit. “No broken bones… I think this should do it...” Using her magic, Alex’s arm was covered with a yellow aura. Soon enough, the pain in his arm vanished and felt good as new. “There. Better?”

“Yes… Much better! Thanks.”

Celestia smiled at him before turning towards Applejack. “I trust this has taught you a very valuable lesson Applejack?”

“It has! I promise to neva’ again use Alex or anypony like that to earn a profit eva again, no matter how special they are. Ah should neva have pushed him into somethin’ he couldn’t do, and that nearly cost me three of mah kin.”

‘Three..?’ Alex was confused. There was only him, Applebloom and Big Mac under there.

“If ya’ll want to punish me, Ah await yer judgement!”

“Applejack…” Applebloom nearly cried as her sister bowed before Celestia to accept her punishment. Celestia only smiled warmly and gently raised Applejack to her hooves.

“Silly Applejack! There is no need for that. What’s important is that you’re sorry and that you have learned from your mistakes.” She looked at Alex and he smiled as she winked at him. “I know you only thought about what was best for your family, and nopony can judge you too harshly for that. But you must remember that there are other methods.”

“Ah know…” Applejack sniffled and dried her tears. “But what’s worse is that that once Ah figured we’d earned enough money Ah’d ask Alex if he wanted to join mah family fer real.”

Alex was surprised. “What?”

“Ya heard me!” She trotted over to him. “Ah want ya to join mah family Alex! It was gonna be a surprise. Ah know it sounds stupid, but Ah jus’ figured Ah pay ya back fer all chasin’, work n’ humiliation with a family n’ home.” She offered him her hoof and smiled weakly. “That offer still stands Alex. Will ya’ come live with us? Fer as long as ya like? Brother..?”

Big Mac was utterly speechless. Applebloom looked as if she really hoped that Alex would take the offer.

Alex looked at Applejack’s hoof. He looked at the Mane Six and their expressions where mixture of surprise, confusion and happiness. He then looked to Celestia. Her smiling face was barely readable but it was clear what she was thinking.

He then took Applejack’s hoof. “It’s been a long day. Shall we go home, Sis?”

Applejack threw her hooves around Alex and happily sobbed as Applebloom tearfully came galloping over to join them. Even Big Mac couldn’t help but shed a tear at the touching moment. All around them, ponies cheered and applauded.
Then something amazing happened. Ponies suddenly started donating money to help with getting Alex settled in with the Apples. Before long, the barrel was overflowing and brimming over with Bits beyond count and it was just enough for both Alex and the farm.

“Ya were right Applejack…” said Big Mac. “He really was a golden apple. But Ah still ain’t eatin’ mah harness.” Applejack just giggled.

Applebloom hugged Alex. “Ya’ll did promise us a big pot of gold Bits. Thank ya ‘Mr. Leppycaan!’”

“It’s Lep-” Alex just giggled. “Nevermind…”

“Here ya go Alex!” said Applejack as she gathered up some Bits in a bag and handed it to him. “Yer cut!” Alex looked into the bag and was amazed by how much it was. He then reached in and pulled out two Bits to which he suddenly handed over to Applejack.

“And here’s two Bits for the apples.” he laughed. Applejack smiled and pulled him into another hug while laughing with him. Everypony joined in and it was clear that everything was going to be alright from now on.

“Can I get out of these clothes now..?”

*****

Twilight never received her Hoofbel prize. Yet in spite of this, it didn’t stop her from learning more about Alex and where he came from. She visited him regularly and he would tell her all he knew about his world and its workings. She in turn would teach him all about Equestria and gave him free access to her library any time he wanted to borrow a book. She apologized for the hard time she, Spike and her friends had put him through and she especially apologized for hurting his feelings.
Using her magic for much better use, it didn’t take long before they both eventually became good friends.

*****

Many months later…

It was a warm busy day at Sweet Apple Acres as Applejack and Big Mac were working hard bucking down fresh and ripe apples by the dozens with near flawless result. Applebloom helped out by sorting and plucking apples that feel on the ground and throwing them into baskets.

“Hey Applebloom! Heads up!” Applebloom looked up and immediately picked up a basket. Balancing on her head, she managed to catch several apples that suddenly flew towards her from the top of the nearest tree. “Great catch!”

“Thank ya big brother!” Applebloom smiled. Alex, wearing a strawhat, popped his head up the tree and grinned.

“Hey Alex! Is that all of it?” asked Applejack as she trotted over.

“Sure is!” Alex climbed down the tree and jumped down beside her. He was wearing a red long sleeved shirt and blue overalls. “All the apples from all the hard-to-reach areas have been plucked and harvested.”

“Nice work bro!” Applejack raised her hoof and gave him a hoofbump. “Boy Howdy! Now we don’t hav’ta worry ‘bout leavin' apples we can't reach behind to rot. A fine day’s work!”

“Indeed!” Alex smiled.

“Eeyup!” said Big Mac.

“Ah just don’t know what we would’ve done without ya…” Applejack suddenly became silent and just looked at him rather sad.

“Something wrong Sis..?”

“Sis..? Ah still haven’t gotten used to hearin’ ya call me that. Especially after everythin’ that… Ya know… happened.”

“Hey… It was an honest mistake. You didn’t mean any harm by it.” He gently stroked her mane.

“Still… Ah should’ve acted more mature and not acted like some mule. Ah jus’ wanted to help mah family.”

“We know sis!” said Applebloom as she hugged her. “An’ ya did! Alex is the best brother we all could’ve asked fer.” She then nuzzled Alex’s leg.

“Thanks Applebloom.” Alex smiled and playfully rubbed her mane, making her giggle.

They then all heard the sound of the dinner bell.

DING! DING!

“Alright ya youngen’s! Suppers ready!” yelled Granny Smith after she spat out the spoon she used to ring the bell with. “Come n’ get it!”

“Comin’ granny! Race ya Big Mac!” yelled Applebloom as she and Big went ahead.

“Com’ on ‘brother’. Suppers ready.” She was about to canter away until Alex stopped her.

“Wait Applejack!” She stopped. “I want to show you something first…” Alex approached the nearest apple tree that still had apples in it. “I’ve been practicing…”

Applejack watched with mild curiosity as Alex comically warmed up his legs. He bent his knees repeatedly and stretched. He huffed and breathed heavily as he built up his concentration. And, like martial arts master, stood right beside the tree, took one more deep breath and focused.

“YAH!”

THUD!

Putting in every ounce of strength he had, Alex kicked the apple tree as hard as he could. The tree vibrated for a few seconds, but not one single apple dropped.

“That there was mighty impressive Alex!” Applejack laughed. “But Ah reckon’ ya need a little more work if ya’s gonna move over to Apple Buckin’!” Alex looked up at the apple tree and sighed. He had seen Applejack and Big Mac do it many times and had practiced so hard to get it right. After many failed attempts, he had hoped this one would be successful. “Cheer up Alex! Ya’ll get the hang of it eventually. Now how’s ‘bout we mosy on inside befur supper gets cold?”

Alex smiled. “The way Granny Smith makes it, it never gets cold.”

“Darn tootin’!” laughed Applejack

The two ventured inside to join the rest of the family and closed the door behind them. The moment they did, an apple from the very tree that Alex had kicked suddenly loosened and dropped to the ground…

THE END

Rarity Wins

View Online

Chapter 17: The Winner is…

Someone or something was clinging tightly around Alex’s torso!

Somepony had succeeded in getting to him first before Twilight and the princesses’. Once they got a better view of the lucky pony, Celestia smiled and cleared her throat.

“The hunt is over! The winner is… RARITY!”

“Aaaaw…” the other ponies groaned with disappointment.

“YAY!” cheered Pinkie Pie.

“Uuuh…” Rarity moaned as they were both lowered gently to the ground. Once her head was clear, she gasped as she realized she had caught Alex. “Alexander?”

Alex slowly opened his eyes, staring into Rarity’s. Letting out a tired sigh, he just lay there until Rarity pulled him up, held her hooves around him tight and nuzzled his chest.

“Alexander! My dear, sweet Alexander! Finally I have you! You’re mine! All MINE!” She tightened her hold on him.

“Choke! Can’t breathe..!”

“Congratulations Rarity!” Princess Celestia said with a bright smile. She then noticed Alex. “Uh… Rarity..? Maybe you should release him now?”

“NO! He’s mine! ALL MINE!! I will never let him go!” She squeezed him tighter. “Never! Ever! EVER!!”

“Yes I know…” Celestia chuckled. “…but um… he’s starting to…” She pointed and Rarity finally realized what she meant. Alex was struggling to breathe and his face was turning blue.

“Alexander!” The overexcited fashionista finally realized what she was doing and let go of him.

“GASP!” Alex breathed heavily with relief. He almost felt like a real goner that time.

“I’m dreadfully sorry about that darling.” She smiled apologetically. “Are you alright?”

“I’m fine!” He wheezed as he calmed down. “I’m fine, thank you…”

Celestia giggled. “I trust that you’ll take good care of him from now on? He’s been through quite a lot.”

“I shall your highness!” Rarity bowed. “I promise!”

She was soon complimented by her friends who tried their best to hide their disappointments of not getting to Alex first. The only one not too disappointed was Rarity’s sister Sweetie Belle.

“Congratulations Rarity!” Sweetie Belle cheered. She then leaped towards Alex and hugged him. “Do you think I and my friends can borrow him when we get home?”

“I’m sorry Sweetie dear, but Alexander and I have an important engagement coming up soon and we really need to get home.” She magically lifted Sweetie Belle off him before wrapping him up in her own aura and levitated him off the ground. “With your highness permission, I would like to take Alex home with me now. We’ve got lot of things to do for the upcoming Evening Gallop Party.”

“Of course you may. In fact, we may perhaps see eachother again real soon. I may be making a small appearance the party as well.” The idea of knowing that Celestia herself would attend the party nearly made Rarity’s heart skip. She took several deep breaths before calming down.

“Then… Then I’ll see you there! Come along now Sweetie Belle. If you like, I’ll let you help me make Alexander ready for our big night.”

“Yay!” cheered Sweetie Belle. “I mean, if it’s okay with you guys?” She turned and asked her friends.

Applebloom and Scootaloo shared a look and smiled. “Sure! It’s alright!” said Scootaloo.

“We’ll see ya tomorrow.” said Applebloom.

Saying their farewells, Rarity and Sweetie Belle skipped home with Alex floating in the air in tow. “Come along now Alex. We’ve got a lot to prepare for in two days. You need to learn proper etiquette and manners. And then there’s your attire and…”

Alex merely sighed and crossed his arms. Being carried around like this seemed a bit humiliating. ‘Well… At least it beats walking.’ he thought to himself. ‘Sigh! Might as well see this through I guess...’

As they slowly disappeared from view, the rest of the ponies had mixed feelings and ideas about all this.

“Him and Rarity? I’m beginning to feel sorry for the little twerp…” said Rainbow. She had been wrapped up in Rarity’s fashion designs more often than she could count.

“Aah… Don’t worry non Rainbow Dash” replied Applejack with a light smirk. “Ah’m sure he’s goin’ to be jus’ fine.”

*****

It was the night of the Evening Gallop Party. Ponies of all manner of nobility and fame arrived at the deluxe home of Fancy Pants dressed in their fancy attire and dresses that literary sparkled once they stepped out of their carriages.

Arriving in their own carriage of splendid decor and lined with various gems and crystals was Rarity and Alex. Rarity peered out of her carriage and beheld the sight as they approached Fancy Pants’ mansion.

Rarity was wearing her beautiful pink gown with a sea-blue sapphire on her chest. On her hooves she was wearing fashionable pink shoes with snow-white emeralds. To Alex, she looked simply breathtaking.

“Such a magnificent turnout!” she literally squealed. “It would appear all of Canterlot’s esteemed and prominent figures are all here!” She turned over to Alex, who sat nervously hunched over in his tuxedo outfit with his fists clenched on his knees. “Is something wrong dear?”

“It’s nothing Miss Rarity…” Alex pulled on his collar. “It’s just… This whole thing seems to ‘classy’ for me…”

“You’ll be fine darling.” She placed a hoof on his shoulder. “I know you’re nervous but I know you’ll do well. Just act calm, remember what I taught you and follow my lead. Everything is going to be just fine.” They felt the carriage had come to a halt. “We’re here~! Now Alexander, would you be a dear and open the door please?” Alex stepped out of the carriage and opened the door for Rarity. As she stepped out, she already noticed that the ponies currently gathered outside had them their sudden and immediate attention.
Their arrival was greeted with many ‘Ooh!’s’ and ‘Aah!’s’. All eyes were on them and Rarity held proudly her head high, despite the fact that most of the ponies around her didn’t seem to care much for her talked about dress design. They were however more amazed by her companion.

As they entered the mansion and were soon greeted by Fancy Pants himself, along with his wife Fleur Dis Lee.

“Rarity! Jolly good to see you made it!” He then regarded her clothes. “My! Such a wonderful dress! It looks simply divine!”

“Thank you so much Mr. Pants. And may I say you look simply smashing yourself.” Rarity smiled as she complemented his tux. “And Mrs. Fleur Dis Lee! May I dare say you look positively ravishing?”

“Thank you Miss Rarity.” Fleur Dis Lee giggled, flattered by the comment. She then noticed Alex and trotted excitedly over to get a better look.

“I say Miss Rarity, who may I ask is this with you? Is this the mysterious companion you mentioned in your latest letter?” He regarded his tuxedo with much approval. “My my… He looks quite dignified!”

“I agree.” said Fleur Dis Lee as she trotted around him and gently nuzzled his cheek. Alex was rather taken back by how compassionate and caring the mare was acting. “He’s so cute! I could almost eat him up.”

“Thank you Mr. and Mrs. Pants. Rarity has talked quite a bit about you. My name is Al- I mean, Alexander.” He bowed his head.

“Good manners AND he talks!” Fleur Dis Lee gasped with a pleasant surprise. “Even better!” She then trotted back beside Fancy Pants. “I must admit I am a bit jealous Miss Rarity. This Alexander of yours is quite a find.”

Rarity blushed. “Oh? Well… Cough! He is… quite the find, yes…”

“Would you like to join us by the bar for some refreshments?” asked Fancy Pants. “I suppose you two must be parched after your trip here? We also could talk more about your latest fashion ideas. I did hear you mention one currently in the works.”

“I’d love to!” exclaimed Rarity. She then turned towards Alex. “My dear Alexander, would you be so kind and stay here and mingle for a bit while I go and get us some refreshments? I won’t be too long.”

“Sure… I’ll be right here.”

“Good boy!” She patted him on the head.

As Rarity left with Fancy Pants and Fleur Dis Lee to talk clothes and get drinks, Alex stood by his himself and casually helped himself to some hors d’oeuvres a waiter pony was serving the guests. He had the slight misfortune of grabbing a hay flavored one. It didn’t quite sit well with him and soon found himself searching frantically for the nearest potted plant.

*****

“I must say Miss Rarity, your Alexander is quite the gentlestallion.” Fancy Pants complimented, neither of them noticing Alex as he dived head first into the plant and hurled.

“Indeed he is.” said Rarity blushing lightly. This had gone far better than she had hoped.

“Miss Rarity, I just have to know where you came by such a rare specimen like him?” asked Fleur Dis Lee.

Rarity nervously scratched the back of her head. “Well he…”

“I would really like to have one of my own. I don’t suppose we may buy him off you?” she asked in a near pleading voice.

Rarity suddenly looked pale. “I… Well, that is I-”

“Honey!” Fancy Pants exclaimed. “Don’t be rude! Alexander is obviously not something you can just buy off. Am I right Miss Rarity?”

“You’re right honey.” Fleur Dis Lee flustered. “Forgive me Miss Rarity, I was speaking out of terms. I meant no disrespect.”

Rarity was quiet for a bit before snapping herself out and giggled nervously. “That’s… quite alright. I’m…”

“Well well well… This is indeed a small world…” Rarity’s ears perked as she recognized to dry voice of a stallion she had meet before. Or rather, a stallion and his wife…

Approaching them was a unicorn stallion with grey coat, dark grey mane and sporting glasses. Beside him was a unicorn mare with yellow coat, a bright lavender mane with a white streak and wearing decorative pearls around her neck.

“Rarity! Such a surprise to see you here in all places.” said the mare. “Didn’t imagine a small town pony like yourself would attend a grand party such as this.”

“Jet Set and Upper Crust… Delighted to see you too…” Rarity had no love for this couple. To her, they represented everything that was bad about the nobility in Canterlot. Their narrow-minded look on other ponies that were not in their league was appalling. She remembered how they nearly made her forget who she really was as she strived to be just like them without realizing she was alienating her friends. “You both look well.”

“Why thank you. And you look well too I see.” giggled Upper Crust. “Are you all by yourself? I suppose your backwater friends couldn’t make it tonight?”

“My FRIENDS are home in Ponyville, enjoying their lives to their fullest thank you.” Rarity snarled at her.

“My my, did I touch a nerve?” Upper Crust playfully mocked.

“Can you blame her?” said Jet Set. “Honestly, I don’t see why an upstanding mare like yourself can live in such a small and insignificant place like Ponyville. You really should consider moving to Canterlot for good. Your business would surely blossom a lot quicker.”

“No doubt it would…” said Rarity with a smug attitude. “But Ponyville has a bit more soul than Canterlot. Of course that’s not something you two would know about?”

“Wha!? Of all the nerve!”

“Calm down Honey!” said Jet Set. “It’s possible Miss Rarity has no interest in patching up old wounds. Come, let’s leave her alone and mingle with more well-mannered ponies.” They turned around and left, with their chin high in the air.

“I’m sorry about that Miss Rarity.” Fancy Pants apologized. “We belong in the same club and they are good friends with many ponies in our circle.”

“It’s quite alright…” said Rarity. “How about we put that awfulness aside and get us some refreshments..?”

*****

“Can you believe that… that…”

“Now now, Honey! Just let it go. She’s not worth our trouble.” Jet Set said as he tried to calm his fuming wife. “The best we can do now is-” he trailed off as he suddenly spotted a group of ponies talking to a strange bipedal creature dressed in a tuxedo. “Now what in Equestria is that thing?”

“More importantly, why would they even let such a monstrosity like that in such an elegant establishment like this?” asked Upper Crust.

“Hm… I do believe that’s Rarity’s mystery companion. Or should I say mystery PET!” They both giggled. Jet Set then had an idea and grinned. “Perhaps we should go over there and introduce ourselves?”

His wife read his grin and did the same. “Why not? It would be rude not to…”

*****

Alex was surprisingly having a good time. He had been really worried about this whole ‘pet’ role but so far it seemed to go rather well. He found that many of the noble ponies were quite friendly. They would often come over to compliment his tuxedo and even ask where he came from with great interest. Alex had to admit that he had been quite wrong about this whole thing. He was even starting to look forward to another fancy party as Rarity’s companion…

“My my! Look what we have here.” Alex turned and saw the two unicorns approach him. “So you’re the mystery guest that has been quite the talk of the party?” the mare mused. “Rarity’s ‘companion’ I presume?”

“Yes I am. My name is…”

“Or was it ‘pet’?” She chuckled. “I’m afraid I really can’t tell.”

“I know honey,” said the stallion. “…once you put the clothes on it does kinda cause a great deal of confusion.” They both laughed.

Alex was suddenly not too thrilled about these two. He could easily tell by the snobbish tone in their voices that they did not come over to start a friendly conversation with him. Still, not wanting to disappoint Rarity or cause a scene, he remained friendly and polite. “It’s ‘companion’… My name is Alexander. Are you two friends of Rarity? It’s a pleasure to meet-” He reached out his hand, only to cause Upper Crust to suddenly recoil in revulsion.

“Ew… Keep that ‘thing’ to yourself.”

“Pardon my wife. She’s not very fond of animals touching her.” Jet Set laughed. Alex scowled at him for that remark.

“I’m a human. Not an animal.”

“Oh! A human? You don’t say…” He merely brushed it off and grinned at his wife. “Oh! Pardon me, where are my manners? My name is Jet Set. And this is my lovely wife Upper Crust.”

“My pleasure…” Alex said cold. Still remembering what Rarity told him, he politely bowed his head.

“Hasn’t your owner taught you anything? Clearly she hasn’t showed you how to properly behave in front of upstanding unicorns like us.” Upper Crust glowered.

“Huh?”

“You’re supposed to bow!”

“But… I just did…”

“Lower.”

Alex blinked. These unicorns couldn’t be serious? They actually wanted him to get down on his knees and bow to them like they were royalty?

“We’re waiting…” said Upper Crust impatiently.

“Um..?”

“Surely you humans do know how to bow?” Jet Set suddenly realized something. “Just what is so special about you anyway? Can you fly?”

“No..?”

“Not fly? But surely you can use magic?”

“No… I… have no magic.”

“No magic?” Upper Crust exclaimed with surprise. “And ‘this’ is the talk of Canterlot?”

“I suppose I should’ve known…” Jet Set rubbed a hoof against his chin. “Hm… No horns, no wings… You’re about as special as a monkey.” Alex suddenly had that feeling where this was going. “In fact… Maybe you’re just that? A monkey!”

“A monkey? I love monkeys!” laughed Upper Crust.

“Come on monkey! Entertain us. That is what Rarity really brought you here for, isn’t it?”

Alex finally decided he did not want to humor these snobs any longer. “I’m sorry. I don’t mean to be rude, but I need to go now. It was a pleasure meeting- Wha?” As Alex was about to leave, he suddenly found himself unable to do so. His body wouldn’t answer him. It was then he felt that tingling sensation. They had cast magic upon him.

“Do you think we’re going to let you leave with such disrespect?”

“What are you doing?! RARITY! HE-” Alex tried to call for help, but Upper Crust used her magic to silence his vocal cords.

“Thank you honey.” Using his magic, Jet Set began to force Alex down on his knees. “You still owe us a bow. Be a good monkey now and kneel.” Despite his attempts to resist and with no way of voicing his protest, Alex solemnly submitted and kneeled before them.

“My! He is a well behaved creature after all!” Upper Crust exclaimed, knowingly drawing the attention of curious partygoers who soon flocked to see what was going on. “He understands he’s in the presence of his superiors.”
Unable to move, Alex was forced to endure the laughs and ridicule of the two ponies. Some of the party guests suddenly seemed to laugh and join in, finding this whole thing amusing. Some looked rather disgusted but chose not to intervene for some reason. Suddenly, a tiny square of cheese was dropped onto the floor in front of him.

“Go on monkey.” said Upper Crust in a taunting voice. “Eat the cheese. That’s a good boy.”

Alex looked at the now filthy cheese in disgust. They were actually going to force him to eat off the floor. He stood firm and refused.

“Looks like he needs a little more persuasion…” said Jet Set and used his magic. He forced Alex further down towards the cheese. Alex turned his head away and tried to keep his mouth closed. But now Upper Crust got involved and used her magic to slowly turn his head back and force open his mouth. Alex cringed and mentally begged for someone to save him.

*****

“…That sounds positively marvelous Mr. Pants!” exclaimed Rarity with much glee while holding two glasses of grape cider with her magic. “I would be my pleasure to-”

“Goodness! Now what in Equestria is going on over there?” Fancy Pants exclaimed as they saw a group of nobles laughing and pointing at something on the floor. One mare moved just enough to the side for Rarity to get a clear view and her eyes widened with horror and she dropped the cider on the floor.

“ALEXANDER!?!”

*****

“Come on now.” said Jet Set as he and his wife continued to laugh. “Do what my darling wife said and eat up.”

No matter how much Alex resisted, their magic proved to be more than he could handle. He felt his body growing weaker as he leaned closer to the filthy cheese. He closed his eyes and braced himself as his tongue was now only inches away from touching it…

“STOP THIS AT ONCE!!!”

Jet Set’s aura was suddenly replaced by a blue aura that Alex recognized much to his great relief. Bursting through the crowd, Rarity placed herself between Alex and Jet Set.

“WHAT IN CELESTIA’S NAME DO YOU THINK YOU’RE DOING?!??”

“Why Rarity…” Jet Set chuckled, yet unable to contain his fear as Rarity’s eyes literally glowed red. “We were just having some fun with your human pet.”

Rarity then stared at the tidbit on the floor. She levitated it up and held it in front of Jet Set. “Fun? You call this ‘fun’? How dare you humiliate Alexander like this? He’s an intelligent creature! Apologize at once!”

“Apologize? To a monkey?” The couple laughed before Jet continued. “My dear Rarity, you really expect us to believe that this ‘human pet’ of yours, who I might add has no magic or special talents of any kind, is our equal? Your ‘Alexander’ is what we call an ‘inferior species’. Lower than Diamond Dogs I must sadly admit …”

“Honestly, did you really think you could just dress up an animal, bring it to a party and pretend it’s a pony?” Upper Crust joined in. “Poor thing will never live up to our standards. I hate to tell you this, my dear, but this human’s sole purpose in this life is to serve us ponies and nothing more.”

Rarity was boiling over with rage. “How… How dare you!?! I-”

“Miss Rarity!” Rarity turned and saw Fancy Pants beside her. “If I may..?” She stepped aside as Fancy Pants confronted the two. “It would seem that you two have overstayed your welcome. I’m afraid I’m going to have to politely ask you both to leave! Now!”

They both looked shocked. “Surely you jest?” Upper Crust was bewildered. “You can’t possibly say you-”

“Did my husband stutter?” asked Fleur Dis Lee as she joined her husband, looking more upset than him. “Leave our house this instant and don’t come back until you’ve learned some proper manners!” The two was silent for a moment before they ‘humphed’ and trotted away with their heads held high. “Such a disgrace… And the same goes for the rest of you! Shame on you!” Everyone who partook in the ridicule or did nothing looked away in shame.

“I suppose you’re happy now, Miss Rarity?” said Upper Crust as they passed her. “Have fun with your pet monkey.”
Rarity said nothing. Their words stung her and her heart sank. She only used the word ‘pet’ as a playful word. She never intended it to demean Alex in any way.

“Alexander?” Rarity suddenly realized Alex was gone. She soon found him heading out towards the balcony and she hurried after to catch up with him. Once outside, she felt a horrible sense of dread as she found him leaning over the railings, looking quite miserable.

“Alexander?”

Alex barely acknowledged her.

“I’m so sorry for leaving you alone. Those… those cultivated savages! Had I known they would do something like that I would’ve-”

“What am I Rarity?”

“What?”

“When you look at me, what do you see?”

“I’m afraid I don’t…”

“Do you see me as an equal?” Rarity froze. “Look at me. I have no magic. I can’t fly. I’m barely strong enough uproot a sapling. I was like a puppet to them. They made me crawl like an animal and I couldn’t stop them.”

“Alexander…” She approached him only to suddenly see flinch away. Rarity felt tears well up in her eyes. He was afraid of her. “Alex…”

“Tell me the truth Rarity! What do you see?”

“I… I see…” Rarity dried her eyes and took a deep breath. “I see proud human dressed as a something he’s not. I don’t know what I was thinking? How could I be so blind?”

“Is that it? You don’t see me as a mo-”

“Don’t say that! Don’t even think it! So what if you don’t have magic? So what you can’t fly? I used to believe that all unicorns were more sophisticated than anypony in all Equestria. What I saw in there wasn’t sophisticated at all. It was cruel. And it sickens me that ponies like them would treat you like that. Alex, you are better than those snobs and you don’t need magic to prove that.”

She carefully leaned in closer and nuzzled him gently.

“I may be a unicorn, but that doesn’t mean you should be afraid of me or speak your mind. I would never harm you or treat you like some lowly hoffservant or a-” She bit her hoof and sobbed. “I… I’m sorry for calling you my pet. You must think I’ve been a monster. If you have anything you wish to say to me, than by all means do it.” She closed her eyes and braced herself for the tongue lashing.

“Rarity…”

“Go ahead! I let my anger and my personal desires cloud my judgment. I deserve to be put in a harness and work in a filthy Diamond Dog mine after what I’ve done to you. “

Alex just stared at her before a gentle smile slowly appeared on his face. “I’m not going to lash out at you. I’m actually glad to hear you say that.”

“You… You are?”

“Miss Rarity…”

“Please! Just ‘Rarity’!”

“Just Rarity…” he joked. “I went along with this not just because you caught me, but because I said I would make up for the damages that I caused. I don’t blame you for what happened in there. I’m just glad you saved me.”

“And so are we…”

They both turned and were surprised. “Princess Celestia? Princess Luna?” uttered Rarity.

“We saw everything that happened in there. Are you okay Alex?”

“I am. Thanks to Rarity.”

“Your Highness! I’m responsible for what happened in there! I deserve whatever punishment you wish to bestow upon me!” Rarity bowed before Celestia.

“Rise Rarity.” Celestia smiled. “I’m not going to punish you. Like I said, we saw everything. I’m actually happy that you saw him for what he really is and came to his aid. I trust this has been an important lesson for you?”

“Indeed it has!” Rarity sniffled. “I going to treat Alex with more respect from now on and never again make him into an object of curiosity just to further my status! After what just happened in there, I’ve kind of lost my taste for it now...”

Celestia smiled even more. Suddenly, all ears perked as they heard the familiar voices of Jet Set and Upper Crust trotting away below them.

“What nerve of that Fancy Pants! Throwing us out like that,” huffed Jet Set. “…and all because we were having some fun with Rarity’s monkey.”

“I’ve never been more humiliated in my life! They are definitely not going to be on our Hearth Warming card list this year.” said Upper Crust.

They were unaware of Rarity, Alex and Celestia standing on the balcony above them at that moment. Luna scowled at them. “Such arrogant foals… If only we could teach them…”

FLASH!

“AH!” both Jet Set and Upper Crust yelped as they were suddenly blinded by a bright flash. “What was..?” Jet Set’s words froze as he looked at his wife. “HONEY! YOUR HORN! IT’S GONE!”

“My horn?” Upper Crust gasped. “WHERE’S YOUR HORN?” Jet Set felt his forehead and true enough his horn was gone.

The two unicorns screamed.

“MY HORN! MY PRECIOUS HORN!” cried Upper Crust.

“HOW DREADFUL!!! SIMPLY, SIMPLY DREADFUL!!!” cried Jet Set as they both galloped down the street and disappeared into the night.

“I think a few weeks without their horns will teach them a lesson in humility.” said Celestia with a playful grin.

“I must concur dear sister. A brilliant lesson indeed.” said Luna with a bright smile.

“I agree.” said Rarity, fighting to stifle a giggle and failing.

“Yeah!” laughed Alex.

All four of them laughed heartily.

“Miss Rarity! Alexander! There you are!” All turned and saw Fancy Pants and Fleur Dis Lee galloping out onto the balcony. “Are you two al-?” Fancy Pants then noticed Celestia and Luna. “You Majesties! Forgive me, I didn’t notice you had arrived.”

“It’s quite alright.” Celestia smiled. “I promised we would come.”

Fleur Dis Lee trotted up to Alex and quickly embraced him. “We’re so sorry for what happened! Please don’t go! We promise you’ll never be humiliated like that again!”

Alex looked at Rarity. “The night is still young… Why not?”

“Are you sure darling?”

“I’m sure. Besides, I am your companion.” He winked and Rarity smiled.

They all went back inside to rejoin the party and the night went on without any further incidents.

*****

Both Rarity and Alex remained in Canterlot a few more days to take in more of the sights. Fancy Pants and Fleur Dis Lee were more than happy to accommodate them to make up for the humiliation Alex suffered.
One time they ran into Jet Set and Upper Crust again, only this time wearing ridiculously large hats to hide their shame, earning a few laughs from ponies around them. They seemed to act more humble now that they were completely hornless, but Rarity questioned how long that would last.

After a long and pleasant stay, they soon returned back to Ponyville by train.

*****

Many weeks had passed since the Evening Gallop Party. Alex had it pretty well living with Rarity as he found himself being tended to his every need. As much as he appreciated it, he didn’t want to be seen taking advantage of her hospitality and did his share by helping her out with cleaning up the mess he had made and assisting her with her fashion sales.

After the events in Canterlot, they had earned much public attention and soon found themselves suddenly visited regularly by distinguished elites, wanting to promote Rarity’s designs for the Canterlot market.
Needless to say, all that attention soon paid off the damages, the massive spa bill and managed to buy in more supplies.

He was even well received by her sister Sweetie Belle. He practically became her babysitter when Rarity was forced to go out on business. While Alex didn’t mind watching her, he always felt his masculinity fading every time she wanted to play tea party with him.
Sometimes even Spike showed up to help out. While Spike didn’t mind Alex’s presence, Alex couldn’t help but feel that Spike for some reason saw him as a rival…

During the weeks that followed, Alex soon revealed to Rarity his talent in art and drawings. Taken back by some of the designs he made of her dresses, he was instantly appointed at as her new fashion designer. Alex designs became a real hit among ponies and Carousel Boutique blossomed like never before.

*****

“Thank you so much! Have a nice day!” said Rarity as she waved good-bye to Lyra Heartstrings. She had bought another one of Alex’s designed dresses. Often she would come by and ask for the ones he had a personal hand in, something that confused Rarity many times.

Closing up for the day, Rarity went up to check on her new fashion designer. “Yohoo! Alex dear!” called Rarity as she trotted inside Alex’s own private work room. “Are you in here?”

“Right here Rarity!” Alex called out. Rarity trotted into to her work room and saw that he was already at work on some new designs. “I’ve drawn a few dresses…” He handed them to her and she levitated them out of his hands and looked over them. “So… What do think?”

“They’re… They’re simply marvelous! Had I known you were such an artist…”
“It’s no biggie…”

“No biggie? You’ve got talent! I’m an artist myself and I can honestly say these are very good. And those ponies back in Canterlot said you weren’t special?” She giggled as she trotted over and hugged him. “My dear Alex… You may not have magic or flight, but you’re still the most special human in all of Ponyville and nopony can ever take that away from you.”

“Thanks Rarity.”

She then let go of Alex and showed him a piece of paper.

“What’s this?”

“A dinner invitation to the Golden Horn in Canterlot. Fancy Pants and Fleur di Lee wants to meet with us and hear some of our new fashion ideas.”

“Us?”

“Why of course, ‘partner’!” She then held out her hoof and showed him two dinner reservations. “Would you like to join me as my date?”

“D- Date?” Alex flustered. Suddenly this partnership had turned rather intimate. “Um… Of course! Though I wouldn’t call it a date per say…”

“Oh! And why’s that?”

“Well… I’m human and-”

“And I’m a pony?” Rarity giggled. “Don’t let that concern you. After all, stranger things have happened…” she winked while she wiggled her tail. Alex’s face became even redder. Rarity then suddenly laughed.
“Relax Alex! This is just business dinner, not an actual date. But if you really want to make it more serious..?”

“Business dinner is fine!” said Alex. Rarity smiled and trotted back out.

“Then it’s a date! I’ll write Fancy Pants and tell them we’re coming.”

‘Phew! That was close! Imagine, us on an actual date?’ Alex mentally giggled. As she exited the room, Alex couldn’t help but have a sudden sense of longing. ‘Rarity is undoubtedly the most beautiful and generous pony I’ve ever known. But the idea of me and her being an item..? Nah… Rarity’s a serious mare. She would never pass up a good-looking stallion for an alien biped like me...’ He sighed. ‘Well… One can only dream…’

Once Rarity had left the work room, she stopped and shot a glance back at Alex. She seemed saddened for a brief moment. ‘A romantic dinner date would’ve been nice. He is quite the looker. For a human…’ She sighed. ‘I suppose I’ll just take things slowly and give him some time to warm up to me. Then maybe…’ She smiled hopefully as she continued up to her room.

‘Poor Spike…’ she giggled. ‘I suppose I’ll have to break to him gently…’

THE END

Rainbow Dash Wins

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Chapter 17: The Winner is…

As the ponies pulled themselves out of the pile, they were all shocked to discover that Alex was nowhere among them. He had all but vanished. Instead there was a long and deep skid mark on the ground leading several feet away from them. Following the trail, they saw figures lying on the ground with one of them having a wing that was slightly twitching. As they raced over to get a better look, everypony’s eyes widened with more surprise when they saw that one of the figures was Alex!

Once they got a better view of the lucky pony, Celestia smiled and cleared her throat.

“The hunt is over! The winner is… RAINBOW DASH!”

“Aaaaw…” the other ponies groaned with disappointment.

“YAY!” cheered Pinkie Pie.

Rainbow Dash slowly opened her eyes. The Sonic Rainboom sent her diving so fast she was hardly able to acknowledge what had happened. “Hng..!” She sat up and rubbed her head. “Off… What happened..?” Her ears perked as she heard a familiar noise. Looking down, Rainbow quickly discovered who she was sitting on.

“Groan..!” Alex rubbed his head. “What hit me..?” Opening his eyes, he found himself staring into the cerise eyes of an equally surprised blue pegasus. Alex cringed. “Oh crud…”

“I caught him? I caught him! I CAUGHT HIM!” shouted Rainbow Dash as she happily shot into the air with joy. Everyone looked up as she soared through the air in her victory celebration. She swooped and zoomed around for a while before suddenly landing back down on Alex and pinning him down. “YAHOO!!!”

Rainbow Dash quickly reached for the bottle around her neck. She uncorked it and began to splash its content all over Alex. With the deed done, she hovered above him and thrust her right foreleg in a triumphant cheer. “YES!”

The other ponies witnessed this action with confusion and they quickly trotted over.

“Congratulations Rainbow Dash.” said Celestia smiling.

“Oh yeah! Rainbow Dash won the hunt! Who’s Best Pony? Rainbow Dash that’s who! Oh yeah! Oh yeah!” Rainbow, hovering in the sky, danced her victory dance in celebration.

“Okay, okay, ya’ don’t have to rub it in.” said Applejack. Rainbow finally landed and giggled.

“Admit it Applejack, you guys just didn’t stand a chance against my awesomeness!”

“Ah say ya were jus’ lucky.”

“Lucky?!? Luck had nothing to do with it! I’m just that awesome! On now Alex is mine!”

“Sure… Whatever ya say Dash…” Applejack rolled her eyes.

“Yes… Congratulations Rainbow Dash.” grumbled Twilight with a forced smile. The others pretty much did the same. While they were happy for her, they all really wanted Alex for themselves. “By the way, what was that you sprayed Alex with?” asked Twilight.

“Just a little something Zecora cooked up for me.” answered Rainbow with a huge grin. “By the time it’s done its work, I’ll be taking him home.”

“Home? As in… your home? Is it a cloud-walking potion? Because you know you can’t keep him there without having him fall through the floor, right?” Twilight pointed out.

“And wouldn’t he be a wee bit too heavy for you to carry all the way darling?” added Rarity.

Rainbow Dash giggled. “Oh trust me! The potion I gave him will solve both those problems. Just you wait and see.”

“Uh Dashie…” uttered Pinkie. “I don’t think we’ll be able to see anything. Because Alex is gone...”

Rainbow Dash quickly turned around, and true enough, Alex was gone. The ponies gasped and looked around for him, thinking he had taken the opportunity and run off again. Rainbow however just trotted up to where he was lying before and looked around with a keen eye. She suddenly noticed something in the grass. “Gotcha!”
Like a cat, she dove into the grass and pulled something out. The ponies gasped once they saw what she was carrying with her teeth. It was Alex, only now he was small as a mouse again. Shaken up by that sudden tackle, Alex soon saw the ponies in front of him and gulped as he realized where he was.

“Help me..?” he silently pleaded.

“Rainbow… You shrank him?” exclaimed Twilight. Rainbow nodded with a grin. “But why did you-?”

Before Twilight could get an answer, Rainbow suddenly tossed Alex in the air and caught him in her mouth.

GLOMF!

Her friends all gasped, louder this time as Alex disappeared in her mouth.

With big puffy cheeks, Rainbow winked at her friends before suddenly taking off and heading in the direction of her home in Ponyville. All her friends just stood there and blinked. They hardly said a word before Pinky finally broke the silence.

“Wow! She must really like him!” She then pouted. “Aw… And I didn’t get to try…”

“Did you see that Princess?!” Twilight asked Celestia.

“I did Twilight.”

“How can thou stand there and let this happen? We should do something!” said Luna with concern. Her eyes then narrowed and her wings flared as she was about to follow Rainbow. “I swear, if she harms him I’ll-!”

“You will do nothing!” said Celestia with a stern voice. “None of us! The rules of the hunt is clear. Whatever she does with him is out of our hooves. All we can do now is trust Rainbow Dash to the right thing.” She then trotted away.

“And where art thou going if I may ask?” asked Luna.

“To write a letter.”

Before Luna could ask anything else, Celestia disappeared with a flash. Everyone looked at eachother with concern. They never really fully understood what Rainbow Dash wanted with Alex, but from her actions it didn’t seem pleasant.

“Wha-? What is she going to do to him?” asked Fluttershy worried as she trotted up next to Twilight who was looking in the direction of where Rainbow has flown.

“Well, she’s not going to eat him that I know for sure.” said Twilight. “But I don’t think I would want to be in his shoes right now…”

*****

It didn’t take Rainbow Dash long to reach her home. She circled around for a bit before flying through one of her open windows. Once inside, she locked the doors and windows, making certain she was alone before she bent down she spat Alex out onto the floor.

PTUI!

“What..?” Slightly dripping with saliva and feeling a bit groggy, Alex sat up and tried to comprehend what had just happened. From he could understand, he had traveled in Rainbow Dash's mouth.

“Where am I” Alex looked around at his new surroundings before eyeing the giant blue pegasus behind him. He gulped as Rainbow grinned menacingly at him.

“Welcome to my home Lexy.”

He got up and quickly backed away, tripping over his own legs and landing back on the floor again. To his surprise the floor looked like it was made up of clouds.

“You can’t imagine how long I have waited for this moment...” She licked her lips and readied her hoof.

Alex trembled with fear. “Please… I didn’t mean it! I’m sorry!”

“It’s too late for ‘sorry’s’, twerp! It’s payback time!” she laughed manically and raised her hoof. “This is for tricking me!” Alex tearfully braced himself as it came down upon him.

BOOM!

*****

Next morning…

Peace and tranquility had returned to Ponyville once more, following yesterday’s chaos that happened. Questions and rumors still circulated around the mysterious human and whatever became of him.

Fluttershy was flying in the direction of Rainbow Dash’s house. Ever since she flew off with Alex, she had been growing concerned and had trouble sleeping. Rainbow had not been after leaving Whitetail Wood and she had been absent all day. It was now in the middle of the afternoon.

‘I do hope everything is okay…’ She thought back to what Twilight had said before and was really worried that Rainbow had done something awful to him. She trusted Rainbow to never harm a soul, but she couldn’t shake off the bad feeling she had. As she ran through every worst possible scenario in her head, she was finally within view of Rainbow’s house. ‘Oh, I REALLY hope everything is okay. Poor Alex… He must be-’

CRASH!

“What in Equestria was that?” Fluttershy heard a loud crashing sound coming from the house.

BOM!

CRASH!

There were more loud noises and it sounded like a war was going on. Picking of the pace, Fluttershy quickly reached the house and searched for the nearest open window. She was really careful and snuck a peek in…

“GOT YOU NOW!”

CRASH!

“HEY!”

“Eeep!” Fluttershy squeaked, just avoiding a vase that suddenly flew towards her. Taking another peek, she finally saw what was going on. The whole room was a mess. Pillows and blankets were everywhere. Tables and chairs had been tipped over. In the middle of it all was Rainbow Dash, struggling to pull a blanket that had wrapped itself around her head. She looked like she had been through quite a beating as she was all scuffed and bruised.
Finally pulling off the blanket, she snorted and looked around the room while panting.

“*PANT!* Where are you, you little..?”

Suddenly in the corner of Fluttershy’s right eye, she saw Alex as he jumped out from behind a tipped over chair and made a dash towards the sofa. He was soon spotted by Rainbow.

“Tank! Quick! Stop him!”

Tank made an attempt to block Alex’s path to the sofa and tried to grab him with his beak. Alex casually avoided him and leapt onto the sofa and disappeared between the pillows. Rainbow then flew through the air and dived head first towards the sofa.

CRASH!

“Oh my!” Fluttershy shielded her eyes. She almost dared no to look. By now Rainbow had cleared away all the pillows of the sofa. There was no trace of Alex anywhere.

“Gone? But how..?”

She didn’t notice at that moment that Alex had cleverly hid himself inside the pillow. Thinking it was safe, Alex carefully pulled himself out of the pillow and snuck away, only to run into Tank who tried to swat him (albeit very slowly).

“Woah!”

“Huh?” Alex’s yelp caught the attention of Rainbow. “Now I got you!” She dived off the sofa straight towards him. Tank, seeing Rainbow dive towards them, quickly hid in his shell. Alex joined him. “Whoa! Aah!”

CRASH!

Fluttershy shielded her eyes again. Once the noise had died down she took a peek in. As the dust inside settled, Fluttershy was met with a curious sight. Rainbow had her whole head stuck inside Tank!

“Hey! What the..!” She sat up and tried to shake it off. She then tried to pull it off. On the other end, Tank’s head popped out just as Rainbow got up on her hind legs. She staggered blindly around and Fluttershy nearly laughed at the sight of this turtle-headed pony that wobbled around. “Tank! Get off me!”
Rainbow fell on her back and used all four legs to pull her head out of Tank.

POP!

Tank flew across the living room and landed safely on one of the pillows on the floor. Rainbow painfully rubbed her head and opened her eyes. To her surprise, Alex was lying face down on her muzzle. He slowly raised his head and found himself staring into Rainbow’s eyes.

“Aha! Gotcha!” she tossed Alex off her muzzle and landed him flat on his back.

Fluttershy watched as saw Alex lay helplessly on the floor before Rainbow as she raised her hoof threateningly over him. “Oh no!”

“Game’s over litte squirt! I win!” She reared up and made ready to flatten him.

“RAINBOW DASH! DON’T-” Fluttershy cry was merely a whisper and she watched helplessly as Rainbow brought her hoof down on him. “Eeeek!” She covered her eyes.

BOOM!

Fluttershy turned away and whimpered. She couldn’t bear to watch. She could not believe that Rainbow Dash would-

“BAHAHAHAHA! That was great!” Fluttershy suddenly heard Rainbow’s laugh and opened her eyes. She was utterly confused as she saw Rainbow jumping around and having fun. She then looked at the floor and, much to her great relief, Alex was alright. “Looks like I win this round!”

While she was glad that Rainbow wasn’t hurting him, Fluttershy was curious as to what exactly they were doing. ‘Are… Are they playing a game?’

“Yes Rainbow Dash… You win... Again…” Alex laughed sarcastically as he got up and dusted himself off. While he was glad that she didn’t kill him, a part of him wished that she would. He was exhausted and they had been at it for three hours.

“10 minutes and 35 seconds. A new record!”

“Can’t we play another game that doesn’t involve me getting chased and nearly flattened?”

“C’mon Lexy, we can’t stop yet! You have to admit that this is really fun!” Rainbow laughed. Alex didn’t really find this whole ‘Cat n’ Mouse’ game exactly fun.

~~*~~

Flashback…

“…It’s payback time!” Rainbow laughed manically and raised her hoof. “This is for tricking me!” Alex tearfully braced himself as it came down upon him.

BOOM!

Alex shivered on the floor. I’m dead! I’m dead! I am SO dead…

But then he realized something strange. He was still alive! Confused, he opened his eyes and then flinched as he suddenly saw Rainbow Dash looking at him at ground level, sporting a rather large playful grin.

“SIKE!” Rainbow exclaimed, followed by a loud fit of laughter. “BAH HA HA HA! You should’ve seen the look on your face! Priceless!” Alex was dumbstruck. He had half expected her to end him right then and there, but instead she was rolling over with laughter.
Finally collecting herself, Rainbow lowered herself back down to his level and smiled some more. “Did you honestly think I was going to squash you? Boy you obviously don’t know me very well.”

“Wait… So… You’re not mad at me anymore?”

“Oh don’t get me wrong squirt. I’m still mad about what you did and I am going to punish you.” She leaned down and looked him dead in the eyes. “You’re going to stay here forever in my floating cloud fortress and be my toy.”

Alex was not thrilled about this. “Wait… Did you say ‘cloud fortress’?”

“That’s right! There is no escape for you. We’re way above ground and the only way out of here is with these.” She showed him her wings. “The entire floor of this house is made up of special hardened Cumulus made for my pet tortoise, so it’s strong enough to hold you as well.” She pointed to a corner and Alex was surprised to find she did have a pet tortoise.
She then grabbed him with her teeth and flew out the window. Alex was amazed at what he saw. It really was a cloud fortress (or more accurately a house) and it was floating in the air. Rainbow flew around for a bit before she stopped and hovered over some clouds just outside her house. “But should you ever think of venturing outside…” She then dropped him. Alex fell straight in through the cloud towards the ground.

“AAAAAAAAAAAH!”

He dared not to look. Suddenly, he landed on something soft and discovered he had landed on Rainbow Dash’s back. With impressive speed, she had intercepted him just as he fell through and caught him before he could reach ground.

“…well then you’d best have a parachute.” she giggled.

“Okay! OKAY! You’ve made your point!” yelled Alex. “Take me back in, please!”

She flew him back inside and place him back on the floor. Alex was relieved to be on solid ground (or in this case cloud), but he was still shivering. He honestly thought he was done for.

“Ah jeez…” Rainbow saw how Alex shivered and whimpered on the floor and regretted her action. She gently scooped him up and held him close to her muzzle. “Hey..? Are you okay? Sorry if I scared you.”

“Scared me?!? I really thought you were going to kill me!” he yelled.

Rainbow scratched the back of her head and giggled sheepishly. “Gee… I didn’t mean to frighten you that much… I was only teasing.”

“That’s hardly what I would call teasing!” Alex yelled.

“Lighten up Lexy! You’ll love it up here. Look! I even bought this earlier today.” Alex looked and saw what appeared to be a rodent cage on a table. Looking closely at the interior of the cage, he spotted a small doll bed, a table with chair, a mirror, a sandbox and a bucket of water. It even had a hamster wheel. “Whenever you get bored, you can just exercise.”

“Gee… You shouldn’t have…” Alex answered sarcastically. Rainbow opened the cage and carefully placed him inside. She then lifted the cage and carried it up to her bedroom. Alex got a good view of Rainbow’s bedroom and her bed was made entirely out of cloud. In fact, most of all of her furniture was made of clouds. He even saw the walls decorated with posters of the Wonderbolts and he was convinced that she indeed was a devoted fan.
Rainbow placed Alex on her desk. “Well, it’s late and we’ve got a lot of playing to do in the morning. So you can sleep in my bedroom tonight.”

“And just what kind of games are we going to play exactly?” asked Alex, getting a bit curious to know what she had in mind.

“You see Lexy , after what happened back at the library, I never realized what a challenge you were. You looked so small and helpless, and yet you outsmarted me at every turn and gave me quite a beating.” She then flinched and rubbed her head. “Which I’m still feeling the hurt from… Ouch!”

Alex snickered a bit as he recalled that incident. It was fun, seeing Rainbow injure herself like that. “So… What about it?”

“Tomorrow we’re going to do that again. Only this time we do here and the rules are simple. You run, I chase!”

Alex couldn’t believe his ears. This was his purpose? To play a ‘Cat n’ Mouse’ with her for the rest of his tiny life? “You can’t be serious..?”

Looking out the window, Rainbow noticed it now evening and she felt really tired now. “Well, it’s been a long day.” Rainbow yawned. “Time to hit the sack. Sleep tight Lexy! See you tomorrow.”

“I can hardly wait…” Alex muttered sarcastically as he leaned against the bars of the cage. He did not look forward to tomorrow… ‘Celestia owes me BIG for this…’

End of Flashback…

~~*~~

Alex didn’t get much sleep after that talk last night. The thought of being her toy made him nervous. That, and that Rainbow kept snoring like a drunk stallion in a stable and keeping him awake. Eventually he got some sleep, but by then it was nearly morning.
That morning he was given a good breakfast and savored it as much as he could incase this day was to be his last. It wasn’t long before Rainbow decided to begin their fun.

Despite her playful nature, Rainbow was a monster. She never got tired and no matter how much Alex tried, she hardly gave him a chance to take a breather. She did however give some time to prepare before the chase, but that was little comfort to him.

“Okay… How about one more game and then we take a break.” said rainbow Dash. “But could you try and not make it too easy for me this time? That last hiding spot you chose was too obvious. I’ll count to 50 and you better not be here when I finish.” She sat down on her haunches, closed her eyes and began to count.

Watching from outside the window, Fluttershy was glad that Alex was safe and they were just playing. But by the looks of it, it was a rough game and she knew how wild Rainbow could be. She really felt sorry for Alex and wanted to climb in and rescue him, but she didn’t want to make Rainbow Dash angry. She decided to go in and try reasoning with her and somehow make her see that she shouldn’t treat Alex like that.
She was about to head for the front door when a shadow suddenly swopped passed from high above. She squeaked and immediately hid beneath the clouds. She carefully peered up from her hiding place and her eyes widened as she got a good look at the shadowy figure.

‘What? What is SHE doing here?’

*****
“13… 14… 15…”

Alex looked around for a good hiding spot. He run out good options and Rainbow was close to finishing her counting. Out of options, he eyed an empty bowl on the floor. He turned it over and quickly hid under it.

“32… 33… 34…”

Suddenly there was a knocking on the door.

KNOCK! KNOCK!

Rainbow stopped counting and eyed the front door. “Now who could that be?” She flew over and opened it. She gasped with surprise as her unexpected visitor was familiar face she had never thought she would see again.

“Hi Rainbow Dash!”

“Gilda?” Rainbow Dash just gawked as her old gryphon friend flew in. “I thought I’d never see you again! What are you doing here?”

“I was just in the neighborhood. I happened to come across your house and thought to myself that maybe I should pay my old dear friend a visit.”

“Really?” Rainbow Dash didn’t quite buy it. After what happened the last time she was in Ponyville, it ended rather poorly. “Is that the only reason you came here?”

“Well that… And THIS!” she suddenly pulled forth a newspaper and showed to Rainbow. Rainbow read the front page and saw the picture. “That’s you isn’t it?”

Rainbow looked away embarrassed. “Yeah…”

“Oh man! I can’t believe you did that! I heard about your enrollment in the Wonderbolt Academy and that you were going to participate in their opening airshow. I said to myself; Rainbow Dash is obviously going to pull off something neat that will just blow their minds. And then you pull this stunt in front of every pony in town. You must’ve practiced for weeks to do that.”

“Months actually…” Rainbow blushed with more embarrassment.

“MONTHS!?! Wow! I used to think you were a dork, but I never believed you would blow an opportunity like that. The Wonderbolts will be like; Meh! Saw that in yesterday’s paper. Do something more original.”

“Are you done?” Rainbow frowned at her.

Gilda snickered. “Yeah… I’m done. Honestly though, I didn’t come just for that. I have been thinking a lot about what happened the last time I was here.”

“You mean how you ruined Pinkie’s party and yelled at everypony?”

“Yeah… Believe it or not, that wasn’t really my proudest moment.” Gilda sighed. “I’ve missed you Dash. We used to be cool you and me.”

“Things changed Gilda. I changed. I’m sorry… You got your friends and I’ve got mine…”

“Yeah… I suppose…”

They both stood there look at eachother awkwardly. As much Rainbow hated to admit it, she missed Gilda. She felt she needed to seize this chance and somehow patch up their friendship. While Gilda did act like a jerk, she often thought of herself as a bad friend for abandoning her because of one bad episode.

“It didn’t end well for us did it?”

“No… It didn’t…”

“You know… I been thinking about trying this again. Give it one last shot and see if we still can make this friendship work.”

“That would be nice Dash.”

“Say Gilda! Would you like something to drink? I have some apple juice in the kitchen.”

“I guess that would be… Sheesh! What happened here?” Gilda finally noticed the state of the living room.

“This? Oh! Ehehe…” Rainbow laughed sheepishly. “…just playing around with my new toy and my tortoise Tank. Sorry, I didn’t expect company. Here let me just…” Withing moments, Rainbow cleared away the tables, chairs, pillows and blankets off the floor and tidied up the sofa. She then led Gilda and sat her down. “There! Sorry about the rest.”

“It’s okay Dash.” snickered Gilda. “I’m not much a neat bird myself.”

“Oh! That’s right! The juice! I’ll be right back!” Rainbow quickly zoomed out the kitchen, leaving Gilda alone in the living room. As Gilda sat patiently and waited for the refreshments, she seemed to be looking around for something.

Alex, still hiding under the bowl, realized that Rainbow Dash had a visitor. He had snuck a peek from under the upside down bowl and was nearly terrified by how frighteningly huge this Gilda was compared to Rainbow Dash. He wasn’t really keen on meeting face to face without Rainbow around and decided to sneak away and make to the safety of Rainbow’s room.

As Gilda looked around, she suddenly noticed the bowl on the floor moving very slowly away. Curious, Gilda got up and approached the bowl. She stopped its movement and picked it up with her talon. She was surprised as there didn’t seem to be anything under it. She didn’t notice that Alex had clung himself to the walls of the bowl and was holding on for dear life. He prayed that the gryphon wouldn’t spot him.
Sadly enough however, she did.

“Well well well… Look what we have here.” Gilda grinned with surprise. She reached into the bowl and pulled him out. Alex tried to free himself from her talon but she had a firm grip on him. She was holding him so hard he was barely able to scream.
She brought him up close to her face. “Looks like Dash has a little rodent problem.” She suddenly licked her beak. “But we can fix that…”

Alex was lifted high above her head and his eyes widened as Gilda opened her mouth and casually dropped him inside. He screamed as she closed her beak and began to taste him.

“Mmm… Delicious…”

“GILDA!!!” Gilda was suddenly tackled by Rainbow Dash, causing her to spit Alex out. Rainbow quickly scooped him up from the floor and held him close as she distanced him far away from Gilda. “What in Equestria are you doing!”

“Duh! Solving your little ‘rat’ problem! What does it look like?” coughed Gilda as she got back on her paws and talons. “Seriously, I thought you knew all about us gryphons?”

“He’s not a rat Gilda!”

She then eyed him more closely now. “What is he then? Your pet or something?”

“He’s not a pet either! And he’s NOT yours to eat! He’s too play with. He’s my toy!”

“Toy?” Gilda cocked an eyebrow.

“Yes! His name is Lexy. He’s a human I caught yesterday.” Feeling confident that Gilda wouldn’t try anything stupid, she showed him to her. Alex wasn’t thrilled being held so close to something that nearly tried to eat him. “Say hello to Gilda Alex.” Alex said nothing. “Go on! Say ‘hi!’”

“Hello…” said Alex weakly.

“Lexy, huh?” Gilda now got more curious. “To play with? What can he do exactly?”

“He can run real fast and is really slippery. I chase him around and try to grab him while he dodge me any way he can.” Rainbow grinned. “It’s real fun!”

“Wow!” said Gilda. “Can I try?”

Rainbow looked at Alex pondered a bit. Alex however didn’t like the idea one bit. “Rainbow Dash, no! She doesn’t-”

Rainbow ignored him. “I suppose it’s okay I guess…”

She put Alex down on the floor. Gilda’s paws and talons seemed to scrape eagerly on the floor, as if she made herself ready pounce on him. Alex got more nervous when he saw the look in her eyes.

“Now remember, just be car-” Before Rainbow could finish, Gilda flared her wings and dove towards Alex. Before Alex could even get ready, he suddenly found himself firmly in her talons again. “GILDA!?”

“Pfft! This is fun? Hardly a challenge! She turned her back on Dash and held both talons around him.

“Gilda! What are you doing? Don’t squeeze him!”

“Why not? He’s a toy! What could happened?” She then squeezed him.

SQUEAK~!

“Huh? What the…” She squeezed him some more.

SQUEAK~!

“By my feathers, that’s just hilarious!” She began squeeze him repeatedly while laughing.

SQUEAK~! SQUEAK~! SQUEAK~! SQUEAK~! SQUEAK~! SQUEAK~!

“You’re right Dash! This is fun!” Gilda laughed as she kept squeezing him. Rainbow Dash’s eye just twitched as she struggled to contain her anger. “If I squeeze him any harder, do you think-”

“STOP!” yelled Rainbow and quickly pulled Alex away from her. “What are you doing? I told you to be careful!”

“Sheesh Dash! It just a toy.” Gilda suddenly snagged Alex away from Rainbow. “What else can he do?”

“Hey! Give him back!”

“Let’s see if he can fly!” Gilda suddenly tossed him out the window.

“LEXY!” Rainbow’s pupils shrank and she immediately flew after him out the window. She grabbed him just before he could reach the edge of the cloud.
Once she got him safely back inside, she breathed a sigh of relief and glared at Gilda. “What did you do that for? He can’t fly! He doesn’t have any wings! What’s wrong with you?”

“I’m just playing Dash! Didn’t you say he was a toy?”

Rainbow snorted at Gilda. She then noticed Alex huddling close to her fur, clinging to her like a scared child would to his mother. She quickly realized what she had been doing and mentally scolded herself for it. She turned towards Gilda again and scowled at her.
“Gilda… I think you should leave…” She then trotted over to the front door and opened it. “Like right now!”

“What?”

“Will you please leave?”

Gilda protested. “Come on Rainbow Dash! You’re choosing your stupid toy over me?” She gritted her teeth. “Why are you concerned anyway? You did’t seem to have any problems with chasing him yourself.”

“That… That was different! We… were playing!” She then looked on the floor and quickly realized what she had done. ‘No… I was playing…’

“Come on Dash. Let me have another go!”

“You know what Gilda? This was a mistake.”

“Dash!”

“Leave… Now!”

Gilda snorted. “Fine! I’ll leave you alone with your precious little ‘toy-friend’. For a while I thought you had changed. That I was going to have my friend back again. Guess I was wrong…” She marched passed Rainbow Dash and out the door. Once outside, she stopped and glared back. “Smell ya later Dash! Hope you screw up.” She spread her wings and took off.

Rainbow Dash snorted some more and slammed the door. She held Alex close as she flew up the stairs towards her bedroom.

“Are you okay Lexy?”

“I am… Thank you! I thought she was going to…”

“Ssh! It’s okay Lexy. She’s gone now.” Rainbow comforted him as she arrived in her bedroom. “She’s gone and you’re safe.”
She was about to put Alex back in his cage when she suddenly froze. She looked at the cage. She then looked at Alex. Looking back at the cage, she remembered what Gilda had said and she glowered at it. She then angrily pushed it off the table.

“What are you doing?” asked Alex confused as he saw the mess she had just made. Rainbow then gently placed him on the table.

“My little Lexy… I’m SO sorry!” said Rainbow Dash, tears starting to build up in her eyes. “I’ve been a bully! I shouldn’t have treated you like that!” She then scooped him up again and held him close. “The more I think about it, the more I realize that I was no better than Gilda. I wanted to play with you but now I realize I’ve done nothing but caused you grief. Forgive me!”

Alex didn’t say anything. That is, he couldn’t say much at all as Rainbow was squeezing too tight in her hug. Still, Alex did feel that Rainbow had changed somehow and she sounded more nicer now. He was finally able to breathe easy as she stopped hugging him and dried her tears.

“Rainbow..?”

Both Rainbow and Alex turned and suddenly saw Fluttershy through the bedroom window. “Oh hey Fluttersh-FLUTTERSHY?” Rainbow exclaimed. She then got nervous. “How… How long have you been there?”

“Long enough to see everything that happened...”

“Oh..!” Rainbow put Alex on the floor and then rubbed her foreleg nervously. Fluttershy flew in through the window and landed in front of her. “Fluttershy… Listen… What happened just now…”

“I know Rainbow Dash…” said Fluttershy. “And it’s okay.” Fluttershy carefully picked up Alex and held him close. “I’m glad you stood up for Alex. But if you’re going to keep him, you’re going to have to treat him with more respect.”

Rainbow was quiet and listened.

“Alex is a living creature Rainbow Dash. If you keep this up and he breaks, he may not be fixed…” she gently nuzzled him. Alex seemed to blush at that moment.

“You’re right Fluttershy. Fortunately there’s something I can fix right now.” She flew back down into the kitchen. Fluttershy and Alex waited until she came back, only to now head for the window. “Follow me.” Confused, Fluttershy followed Rainbow out the window and down to the ground beneath the house.
“Put Lexy down Fluttershy. Please?” Fluttershy did what she asked and gently put him down on the ground. “Listen Lexy… When I said that potion was permanent… I lied.” She reached for something behind her and pulled out a bottle. “Zecora made this antidote. I kept it just in case. I’m not a bad pony Lexy. I was never going to let you suffer like this.” She opened the bottle and poured some of its content over Alex. Within mere seconds, Alex soon felt himself getting bigger and it wasn’t long before he was back to his normal size.

“I’m… I’m not tiny again!” cheered Alex and leaped around with joy. “I’m not tiny anymore. Yahoo!”

“That was a nice thing you did Rainbow.” said Fluttershy with a smile.

Rainbow was glad to see Alex so happy, but now came the hard part. “Lexy..?” Alex stopped cheering and turned towards Rainbow. She could now see the anger in his eyes. “I’m mare enough to admit I’ve been a complete jackass. But if you want payback for what I’ve done then go ahead.” She closed her eyes and lifted her chin. “Go ahead! I deserve it!”

“Rainbow…”

“Don’t Fluttershy! You know I deserve this! Go ahead Lexy… Let me have it!”

Alex eagerly raised his fist and was ready to pay her back for all the trouble and humiliation she had put him through. But no matter how angry he was and how much he wanted to, he just couldn’t bring himself to hit her. He also noticed Fluttershy who stood silently by, pleading him not to do it. He then sighed and lowered his fist.

“I’m not going to hit you Rainbow Dash…”

“Wh- What?”

“I said, I’m not going to hit you. Believe me, I want to but it just wouldn’t accomplish anything. Besides, you showed me that you really cared for me despite everything that happened.”

“Still…” Rainbow bit her lip. “I can’t live with myself knowing I hurt you…”

“And you think a fist to the face is going to make things better? If you really want to redeem yourself, you’ll just have to stop being such a jerk. Maybe then I’ll consider forgiving you...”

“I WILL! BY CELESTIA, I SWEAR I WILL!”

“Can I have that in writing..?” All three turned and saw Celestia, Luna and the rest of the Mane Six plus the Crusaders appearing out of some nearby bushes.

“Princess? Guys?!? How? How long have you been..?” She then eyed Fluttershy. “Did you..?”

“I swear Rainbow. I didn’t…”

“Fluttershy didn’t know, Rainbow Dash.” said Celestia. “By the time we got to her house, she was already on her way to you.”

“Celestia… I… I'm so sorry! I’ve been really bad!”

“At least Alex is still in good health.” Celestia smiled before looking rather stern a few seconds later. “I hope you’ve learned a valuable lesson from all of this? Am I right?”

“I have Princess! I’ll never treat anypony, no matter who they are with such disrespect ever again! While anypony can be jerks, it’s not my right to do worse onto them! Do onto others…”

“…As you would have them do onto you.” Celestia finished for her. “In the end you showed Alex you really cared and made a tough decision in doing so.”

“I know Princess…” Rainbow sighed. “Gilda was a jerk but I still wish I could make up for that…”

“You still can Rainbow.” Celestia unfolded her wing and gestured to the bushes. It signaled a familiar gryphon to come forward.

“Hi Dash…”

“G- Gilda?” Rainbow stuttered. “But… But you… Wait... Was this a test?”

“A test of loyalty you might say.” Celestia confessed. “We were all a bit worried about your ambitions for Alex and wanted to see just how far you would go, so I wrote to Gilda and asked her for a favor.”

“Favor? Her?”

“Your princess wrote me and asked if I could drop in on you and pretend to put your little Lexy in danger just to teach you a little lesson. I thought to myself it could be fun…”

Rainbow frowned at her. “Fun? Really?”

“Well that…” Gilda rubbed the back of her head and seemed nervous. “…and because I really wanted to see you again. That part wasn’t a lie. No hard feelings, Dash?”

“Hard feelings?! You nearly crushed him! I heard him squeak!”

SQUEAK~!

Rainbow suddenly heard a familiar noise and then eyed something in Gilda’s talon. It was a squeaky toy. “Had you fooled there didn’t I? Even I can play jokes, remember?”

Rainbow Dash blushed and giggled weakly. “Ehehe… Yeah Gilda. You really got me there!” She took a moment to breathe a sigh of relief. “Okay, so you didn’t try to squeeze him. But you still tried to eat him.” This shocked many of the ponies around them.

“Yeah… To be fair, your princess wasn’t very specific on what exactly Lexy was…” She then noticed Celestia narrowing her eyes. “I’m kidding!” Gilda nervously laughed. “I knew exactly what he was. It was all playacting!”

“Really?” Rainbow was relieved that Alex was never in any mortal danger. “That’s good to hear.”

‘Phew! Dodged a bolt there!’ thought Gilda as she rubbed some sweat from her feathers.

“So… Does this mean you want to become friends again? Do you still wanna-?”

Gilda laughed. “I’m flattered Dash, but I’ve moved on. You’ve got way better friends than I could live up to be and you don’t need me. I have my own world and it suits me way better. Hope you understand.”

“Sure.”

Gilda then turned towards Alex. “Nice meeting ya kid! Sorry for the scare and all that... You know..?”

“It’s okay I guess…” Alex shrugged. “All part of the act, right?”

“Maybe..?” Gilda playfully smirked while licking her beak. “Maybe you would like to visit me and the Gryphon Kingdoms someday?”

“Yeah… Maybe…” For some reason Alex felt he probably shouldn’t visit her anytime soon.

“Well, see ya around Dash. And good luck with the opening act.” With that, Gilda spread her wings and flew away, with the sound of an eagle echoing through the air.

“Opening act..?” realization then hit her. “OMGOSH! The Wonderbolt Show! I still haven’t got anything for the opening act.”

“It’s okay Rainbow…” said Twilight sporting a reassuring smile. “I’m sure you’ll impress everypony with your new move.”

“Yeah, but it won’t blow anypony’s mind. I really had a good thing going on before all this happened.”

“Don’t worry Rainbow Dash!” said Scootaloo. “Just do it again. We’ll just pretend it didn’t happen.”

Rainbow laughed. “Thanks kid, but I don’t think everypony is going to forget something like that…”

Alex felt a bit bad for Rainbow Dash at that moment. He knew that was his fault and he had to make it up to her somehow. He then had a thought. “Rainbow? Do you…” he whispered something in her ear.

“A little. Why?”

“Well…” He whispered some more. Everypony tried to listen, but couldn’t quite make it out.

“Really? Are you sure?” asked Rainbow, looking rather surprised.

“Why not? I owe you that much.” He reached out his hand. “So what do you say? Do we have a deal?”

Rainbow smiled. “Deal!” She reached out her hoof to shake his hand-

ZAP!

“GAH!” Sparks flew through the air as electricity suddenly filled her body, singeing parts of her mane and tail. Her body seethed with smoke as she collapsed on the ground. Momentarily dazed, she shook her head and quickly recovered with a rather surprised look on her face. “Huh!?! What the-?” Alex grinned, turned his hand and revealed a buzzer.

“Gotcha!” said Alex with a huge playful grin.

“He really got you there Dashie!” laughed Pinkie as she appeared behind him.

“Thanks for the buzzer.”

“*Giggle-Snort!* You’re welcome!” Pinkie gave him a hoof-bump and they both laughed. Rainbow just gawked at them before she too eventually began to snicker and laugh.

Soon everypony present all joined in and laughed.

*****

Days later, there was a huge spectacle across the skies of Ponyville as the Wonderbolt Show was currently underway. A makeshift cloud stadium had been formed above the town and hundreds of pegasi filled the stands. On the ground, a makeshift stadium was erected for earth-ponies and unicorns who had also gathered to watch the Wonderbolts and their Reserves.
In both arenas, there was a large Magic Monitor that gave everypony a clear and close view of the performances that would be made by the Wonderbolts.

As everypony had settled in, it was time to begin the show. The Mane Six, the Crusaders and even the Royal Sisters were present to witness this great event. Of course, the biggest event was the Opening Act which included not only Rainbow Dash, but Alex as well.

“This is positively exciting!” said Rarity.

“It sure is!” said Twilight. “But what exactly is Rainbow and Alex going to do? They weren’t very clear on that…”

“They said it was goin’ to be a surprise.” said Applejack.

“A surprise! Ooh! Ooh! I love surprises!” yelled Pinkie Pie and sported a cap with two cider cans on each side. “Bring on Alex! Wohoo!”

Soon enough, a pegasus announcer took the air and spoke through a microphone.

“LADIES AND GENTLESTALLIONS! WELCOME TO THE GREAT WONDERBOLT SHOW!”

There was a lot of cheering and applause form above and below.

“WE HAVE A LOT IN STORE FOR ALL YOU YOUNG AND OLD FILLIES AND COLTS OUT THERE, AS EQUESTRIA’S VERY OWN WONDERBOLTS WILL BE READY TO DAZZLE YOU ALL WITH GREAT AND LEGENDARY FEATS OF FLIGHT AND AGILITY! BUT BEFORE WE BEGIN THAT, WE’LL FIRST HAVE OUR OPENING ACT WITH EQUESTRIA’S PROUD WONDERBOLT RESERVES!”

Everypony cheered.

“PLEASE GIVE A BIG HOOF TO THE WONDERBOLT RESERVES!”

Soon dozens of pegasi of the Wonderbolt Academy filled the skies and began to perform various aerial stunts and acrobatics that amazed the audience. While they were still too far off from being actual Wonderbolts, they still managed to put up a good show.
The show went on for quite a while and it was soon time for the main event.

“Wow!” said Fluttershy. “ Look at them all!”

“That there is pretty neat!” said Applejack.

“But still no sign of Rainbow or Alex…” said Twilight. “Where could they…”

“ATTENTION EVERYPONY! THE MAIN WONDERBOLT SHOW IS ABOUT TO BEGIN! HOWEVER, BEFORE WE BEGIN, WE HAVE A SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT!”

Everypony looked to the Magic Monitor as it flickered and revealed a large wooden platform high in air above them, held up by several pegasi wearing oxygen masks.

“HIGH ABOVE PONVILLE, SOME 20 000 FEET, AN SMALL AERIAL PLATFORM HAS BEEN STATIONED AND MADE READY FOR THE STUNT THAT WILL SOON BEGIN THE MAIN EVENT.”

A loud chatter of excitement echoed through the crowd.

“IT WILL BE PERFORMED BY NONE OTHER THAN PONYVILLE’S FAVORITE FLYER; RAINBOW DASH!”

A familiar cyan pegasus suddenly zoomed through the air and landed on the platform. It was Rainbow Dash!

“YAY! Rainbow Dash!” cheered Scootaloo.

As everypony was cheering for Rainbow Dash, another figure appeared from behind her. It was a large biped with his own Wonderbolt uniform, complete with googles.

“AND JOINING RAINBOW DASH IN HER GREATEST STUNT, IS THE HUMAN LEXY!”

“ALEX?!” exclaimed Twilight.

“So that what she wanted it for!” exclaimed Rarity.

“RAINBOW DASH, AND HER PARTNER LEXY, WILL DIVE FROM THIS PLATFORM. LEXY, WHO I MUST REMIND EVERYPONY, IS THE VERY HUMAN SOME OF YOU READ ABOUT SOME DAYS AGO!”

There was more excited chatter in the audience.

“AND AS A HUMAN, LEXY HAS NO WINGS BUT WILL DIVE TO THE GROUND WITHOUT ANY FORM OF PARACHUTE AND SAFETY NET!”

“What?” exclaimed Twilight. “Is she nuts? He’ll get killed!”

“Ooh~! Neat!” said Pinkie and pulled out a camera to take a picture.

“RAINBOW DASH, PONYVILLE’S FASTEST FLYER, WILL FLY A MILE AWAY, DIVE AND THEN RACE BACK TO PONYVILLE TO INTERCEPT LEXY BEFORE HE HAS THE CHANCE TO HIT GROUND!”

There were loud gasps in the audience.

“Woah Nelly!” exclaimed Applejack. “Ah don’t care how fast Rainbow is, that there’s cuttin’ it a bit close!”

“Not to mention it’s utterly ludicrous!” added Twilight. “That distance and her speed combined with his size and weight, he’ll be too fast and too heavy for Rainbow to carry to safety! Even if she somehow manages it, she’ll seriously hurt herself doing it! Along with him! We have to stop them!”

“Too late!” said Pinkie Pie.

“IT LOOKS LIKE THEY READY FOALKS! AND… HERE THEY GO!”

There was complete silence as both Rainbow and Alex jumped off the platform simultaneously. While Alex plummeted straight towards the ground, Rainbow shot off into the distance and was soon out of view. All eyes now focused their attention on Alex as he calmly fell to earth.

Many long and agonizing minutes passed as everypony followed Alex’s descent through the Magic Monitors. Everypony was nervous and wondered if Rainbow would actually make it. Even the Princesses looked a bit concerned.

“I don’t like this…” said Twilight. “Rainbow is taking a big chance. Why is Alex going along with this?”

“To make it up for Rainbow Dash.” said Pinkie. “Since he ruined Dashie’s original stunt, he decided to help her out with this one.”

“But to put himself in danger like this? It makes no sense!”

Meanwhile a mile away, Rainbow Dash dove down at a fantastic speed. With only inches away from hitting the ground, she then made a sharp vertical turn and, along with a Sonic Rainboom, headed straight back towards Ponyville and the stadium at full speed.

Back in Ponyville, Alex was still falling and was now starting to come into plain view of the cloud stadium. All the pegasi gasped with excitement and horror as he fell straight passed them and down towards the Ponyville stadium. Many ponies on the ground were frozen with excitement while others covered their eyes and dared not to look.

“ALEX!” Fluttershy half-cried.

“She’s not going to make it!” Twilight panicked as Alex got closer and closer. “He’s going to hit!” She aimed her horn and readied herself to save him herself.

“Don’t ya dare Twilight!” said Applejack and pulled her horn away. “Rainbow Dash will make it! Ah jus’ know she will!”

The suspense was building up as Alex was getting closer and closer to the ground. All seemed to be lost until…

“LOOK! OVER THERE!” yelled Pinkie Pie.

Everypony looked and saw the in the distance a blurr of rainbow colors moving towards Ponyville at high speed.

“IT’S RAINBOW DASH! YAY!”

“But… Will she make it?” Twilight bit her hoof nervously.

Everypony held their breath. Alex was close to only a few hundred meters before hitting the ground. All eyes were now on Rainbow Dash as she got closer and closer. Would she make it? Would Alex make it? Would-

SWOOSH!

Alex was but a couple of meters from the ground when there was a great gust of wind and he was intercepted by Rainbow as she zoomed across the stadium at great speed. It was so fast that it all happened in a great flash of multicolored lights.
Momentarily blinded, the audience was unable to see what actually happened. Once their sights returned, they saw Rainbow as she shot straight up into the air passed the cloud stadium, in a loop and back down towards it.
Finally coming to a complete stop, she hovered in front of all the pegasi present, breathing heavily through her nostrils while sporting some rather puffy cheeks. Aside from that, there seemed to be no sign of Alex.

Her friends watched on the Magic Monitor as it zoomed in on her. There was still no sign of Alex anywhere and Twilight was getting worried. “What happened? Where is he? And what is she..?”

Rainbow then opened her mouth. Her tongue rolled out and-

“TA-DAA~!”

Everypony gasped and cheered as Alex stood there before them on Rainbow Dash’s tongue, now tiny and completely unharmed. Even the rest of the Mane Six was amazed and applauded loudly.

“The Shrinking Potion!” yelled Twilight relieved. “So that’s how they did it!”

“Told’ja she would make it.” said Applejack with a grin.

With a light flick of her tongue, Rainbow gracefully tossed Alex into the air, making him flip backwards and land on her head, followed by even more cheering.

“I think they liked it.” Alex smiled.

“They sure did Lexy!” laughed Rainbow. “They sure did!”

*****

The show pretty much went on as it did. Following the opening act, the Wonderbolts put on an amazing show and everypony was stunned by their performances. Of course, the biggest talk around was Rainbow Dash’s opening act with Alex.
Once it was all over, they had a competition for the best performances throughout the show. Rainbow Dash and Alex won first place for their opening act and was rewarded with a large gold trophy with a golden Wonderbolt pegasus statue on the top. It was personally handed over to them by the Wonderbolts themselves, promising Rainbow Dash a bright future with the Wonderbolts.

Once everypony had left for home, only the Mane Six, Crusaders and the Princesses were left to congratulate both Rainbow Dash and Alex. Pinkie however was busy viewing her reflection in the trophy and made silly faces.

“Congratulations for winning the trophy for best Opening Act Rainbow Dash.” said Twilight. “Even the Wonderbolts were amazed. I have to admit, my heart was literally in my throat at that moment.”

“Thanks Twilight. But I couldn’t have done without Lexy.”

“No sweat Rainbow.” said Alex with a grin. “Of course you did most of the work.”

“Hey! It was a team effort.” She gave him a hoof-bump, which she hardly felt.

“I’m proud of you Rainbow Dash.” said Celestia. “I… No! WE’RE Proud of you both! You both showed good effort and teamwork today.” As everypony paid attention to Celestia, they didn’t notice Pinkie as she curiously eyed Alex for some reason. “Nopony will ever forget this day.”

“Thank you Princess!” Rainbow Dash literally beamed with pride.

“Alright everypony! Hows ‘bout we all go to Sugarcube Corner n’ celebrate with some ol’ chocolate milkshakes!” said Applejack. Everypony cheered.

“Sound wonderful!” said Celestia.

“We would like this milkshake as well!” said Luna in her regal tone.

“Yeah! Great idea A.J.! What do say Lexy? Lexy?” She felt around her head and realized he was suddenly gone. “Hey! Where’s Lexy?”

Everypony gasped. They at first assumed they had accidently stepped on him and quickly raised their hooves. Even Celestia and Luna did the same. Everypony’s attention was soon drawn to Pinkie as she just sat there sporting some rather puffy-looking cheeks and seemed to be savoring something.

“Mm-Mmm~!”

“PINKIE PIE?!?” Rainbow Dash suddenly put two and two together and paled. “Pinkie Pie! Spit him out right now!!!”

Pinkie spat Alex out of her mouth. “*Ptui!* Bleh! He doesn’t taste good at all! I don’t see why you like it so much.”

Rainbow quickly pulled out the antidote and brought him back to his normal self. Still covered in Pinkie’s saliva, Alex just sat there quietly and frowned.

“Um… Are you okay Lexy?”

Alex suddenly shot Rainbow a glaring look before then suddenly looking passed her at the trophy. “Rainbow..? Could I borrow that trophy for a moment?” He said in a rather polite yet creepy voice.

“Um… Sure… But why would-?”

Alex suddenly got up, grabbed the trophy, lifted it high above his head and stormed towards Pinkie. “SO YOU WANTED A TASTE? THEN HAVE A TASTE OF THIS!”

Pinkie just smiled and playfully yelped as she dodged a swing. She then stuck her tongue at him and galloped away in a flash with Alex in hot pursuit, swinging the trophy around like a baseball bat.

“MEEP! MEEP!”

“GET BACK HERE!! I JUST WANT TO GIVE YOU SOMETHING!!”

“Hey! That’s our trophy Lexy! Come back!” yelled Rainbow and raced after them.

Everypony suddenly began to laugh and watched as the three of them raced up and down the hills before disappearing from view.

THE END!

Fluttershy Wins

View Online

Chapter 17: The Winner is…

Somepony was clinging tightly around Alex’s torso!

Somepony had succeeded in getting to him first before Twilight and the princesses’. Once they got a better view of the lucky pony, Celestia smiled and cleared her throat.

“The hunt is over! The winner is… FLUTTERSHY!”

“Aaaaw…” the other ponies groaned with disappointment.

“YAY!” cheered Pinkie Pie.

“I… I did it?” Fluttershy blinked with surprise as she beheld Alex wrapped around her hooves. A big, cheerful smile appeared on her face and she lifted herself, and Alex, off the ground and hovered in air while she snuggled him. “I… I did it! I’m so happy! Finally I have you! You’re safe now!” she cried.

Alex didn’t really share her happiness much as she was hugging him too tight. He was as limp as a rag doll as he was being hugged and squeezed by an excited Fluttershy. He knew what was going to happen now, and he wasn’t really that excited about it.

“Congratulation Fluttershy!” said Celestia. The others came over and gave their congratulations as well, albeit some with disappointment in their voice. Still, seeing it was Fluttershy, they didn’t have the heart to upset her with their defeats.

“Oh thank you! Thank you all!” said Fluttershy softly. She lowered herself and Alex back on the ground.

“Well, this has been quite an eventful day my little ponies.” said Celestia. “I trust you’ll take good care of Alex, Fluttershy?”

“Oh I will. I will! I promise!” said Fluttershy. Despite how cute this moment was, Alex just wasn’t in the mood. “Oh you poor thing, you must be utterly exhausted from all this. We really should get you home, cleaned up and in a nice, warm bed.” She then looked at the princess. “If… if it’s okay?”

“Of course.” nodded Celestia.

Fluttershy didn’t waste time getting him back on his feet. Still feeling a bit woozy, Alex staggered around trying to find his balance. “Oh my… Easy there Alex.” Fluttershy was immediately by his side and supported him. “You’re in no condition to walk. Here… Get on.” She gestured him to get on her back. Alex was a bit hesitant to get on, considering how small she was compared to him. But her warm and gentle smile eventually won him over.
He slowly and carefully mounted her. To his relief she didn’t seem to be bothered by his weight, although he did imagine himself looking rather silly on the back of a small pony.

“Now you just relax and I’ll take us home. And don’t worry. I’m not going to fly or anything. We’re just going to take it nice and slow.” She then began to sing as she headed for home. “Lalal-La-La~! Lalal-La-La~!”

Alex just sat there and felt utterly embarrassed. He tried his best to keep his legs up from the ground, but sitting on Fluttershy was like sitting on a small bike made for girls with its training wheels still on. He snuck a glance back and could see the ponies being unable to contain their giggles and laughter. Rainbow practically burst with laughter with Pinkie Pie joining in. Even the whole forest seemed to snicker and roll over laughing.

‘Yup… I’ve really hit a new low…’

As soon as they both were out of view, the ponies dried their eyes and collected themselves. With nothing else to do or say the girls headed for home, leaving Celestia alone with Luna.

Celestia glanced down at her sister and noticed the sadness in her eyes. “Don’t worry about Alex, Luna.” She smiled. “He couldn’t be in better hooves.”

Luna just pouted her lips. “He should be in my caring hooves…”

*****

“COCK-A-DOODLE-DOO!”

The sound of a rooster crowed as Celestia’s sun rose and shinned its warm morning light on Fluttershy’s cottage. It spread its rays on her chicken coop, her shed and her cute little animal shelter, stirring them all up from their quiet sleep.

The sun’s rays entered the window of Fluttershy’s bedroom. And with yet another crow from her roster, she woke up and yawned. Opening her eyes, she was suddenly met by a familiar face.

“Oh! Good morning Angel!” said Fluttershy as she was greeted by Angel Bunny who hopped on her bed. Fully awake, she got up from her bed, opened her window and breathed in the fresh morning air. “Good morning everyone~!” she sang, earning a lot of chirps from birds nearby wishing her a good morning as well. “Good morning Mr. Roster. Good morning chickens.” The roster and chickens clucked cheerfully back.

After taking a quick shower and freshening up, she quickly cantered down the stairs and grabbed a saddlebag that hung packed and ready on a nearby chair. She also made a quick stop in the kitchen and made ready a basket with goods. Once ready, she then stepped out her front door and was met by Angel again, as well as several more critters and animals wishing her a good morning.

“Good morning everyone!” A tiny mouse came forward and presented her with a flower. “For me? Oh thank you.” She gently rubbed the head of the mouse. “I’m very happy to see you all. But now I just need wish somepony else a very good morning.” She trotted past her animal friends and headed for the new habitat that had been erected some few days ago. It was surrounded by a large wooden fence, complete with barbwire and several signs telling ponies besides Fluttershy to keep away.
There was even a large roof net covering the entire habitat, meant specifically to keep flying beasts and pegasi out. Bells, wires and various alarm systems surrounded the whole fence. If anypony had the nerve or audacity to enter the habitat without Fluttershy’s permission, would have her to deal with. It even said so on a plaque by the entrance, which itself was equipped with large lock pads to keep anypony out.

Inside the habitat beyond the fence was a peaceful little house, built for Fluttershy’s newest and most precious of her non-pony occupants…

*****

Alex yawned as he felt the sun’s rays hit him and he slowly rose up from his bed of hay-filled matress. He’d had a wonderful sleep. Or rather he WOULD’VE had a wonderful sleep if the animals nearby weren’t such heavy sleepers. He tiredly rubbed his eyes and met the beautiful sunrise that shined behind the tall fence and nearly blinded him.
He sighed. ‘This wouldn’t be so bad if she didn’t have me fenced in like this. Not that I’m complaining, but I really wish she didn’t see me as an endangered animal in constant need of protection.’ He sighed some more. ‘Then again… I am the only human here in Equestria…’

He stood up from his bed and made his way to his ‘bathroom’. It was just a bowl filled with water and a bar of soap beside it. Of course he didn’t stink or look dirty. He DID take baths in a tub.
Or rather, Fluttershy gave him a bath in a tub. For some reason she preferred giving him a bath rather than have himself do it. Alex didn’t really know whether she didn’t trust him to clean himself properly or that she was afraid he’d drown… ‘She needs to understand I can take care of myself. I don’t need protect-’

BUMP!

‘-ion… Ugh…’ Alex painfully groaned as he collected himself after tripping over his own legs and falling face first.

After splashing soap-water on to his face and drying himself off, Alex went outside, stretched and breathed in the fresh clean air while listening to the sounds of happily chirping birds. He had to admit, despite his habitat resembled that of a prison-camp, it was rather peaceful and relaxing.

“Good morning Alex.” Alex looked and saw Fluttershy by the entrance to his habitat from the other side of the fence wearing a saddlebag. “Had a good night sleep?”

“Yes… I had.” he lied. “Good morning Fluttershy. That time again?”

“If by ‘time’ you mean your early morning check-up? Then yes! If… if it’s okay, I mean..?” she blushed. Alex had to roll his eyes. While it had barely been a week, she was always being polite and asking him permission every time she wanted him to do something, despite the fact that she now technically ‘owned’ him. He wondered if she asked her animals just as nicely?

“Sure. Although I am in good health…”

“I’m sure you are Alex. But I have make absolutely sure that my human is happy, content and most importantly, healthy. It won’t take long.”

As Fluttershy was about to enter, she reached for a large red switch. Pulling on it, there’s was a sudden spark of electricity and the sound of something powering down was heard. Alex thought an electrified fence with 20 000 Volts seemed a bit much, but somehow there seemed to be no point in arguing with her.
A series of clicks were heard as Fluttershy unlocked the numerous locks she had on the door and let herself in before instantly closing it and locking it up again. Each time took five minutes and once she was finally done she picked up the basket and trotted over. In the basket there was an selection of edibles; a loaf of bread, cucumber, tomatoes, lettuce butter and fruit, along with a bottle of water and some apple juice.
“Here you go. Your breakfast.” Alex took the basket and went inside while she followed him. Once inside, she observed the state of his house and was quite amazed. “It’s nice to see you’re keeping things neat and tidy.”

“Yeah well… Can’t live like a pig, now can I?” Alex snickered. He secretly hoped that by being tidy and more civilized, she would at least see him as a person and thus give him some freedom of space.

Fluttershy giggled, relieved that he hadn’t lost his sense of humor. “No, of course-” Suddenly she gasped. “Heavens! What happened to your face?”

Alex felt his face and felt his swollen nose. “It’s nothing Fluttershy. I just tripped…”

“Tripped? You poor dear!” She reached into her saddlebag and pulled out a band aide. “Here! ‘Mommy’ will make it all better…” She gently placed the band aide on his nose. “There!”

“Thanks Fluttershy…” Alex said nasally. He wasn’t too thrilled on being treated like an injured child.

“Now we just need to see if you’re in good health. Um… Would you mind…” she blushed. “…lift off your sweater?”

Being compliant, Alex sat down on the sofa as Fluttershy began to examine him. She checked his temperature and listened to his heart. She was very thorough in her progress, making absolute sure he wasn’t suffering any form of Equestrian ailment.

It had only been a few days since Alex moved into his new home. First night was pretty hard. While Fluttershy was happy to have him safe and sound, he wasn’t really sharing her sense of happiness. While he didn’t need to run from crazy ponies anymore, he still felt like a prisoner, unable to go or do anything without her knowing.
He felt like a spoiled rich kid being pampered by an overzealous and overprotective waiter. Fluttershy gave him warm food, toys and even, on one occasion, read him a bedtime story. The only times he actually smiled and felt really happy was when she let him out for walks around her cottage. Of course, it only lasted ten minutes and she was always nearby keeping two eyes on him. As much as he wanted to just run away and leave it all behind, he really didn’t have much choice. She caught him and he had to live up to this unless face the consequences for breaking the rules.
Not to mention he wouldn’t be able to get pretty far due to her wings and her ‘Stare’. And then there were her animals. At times he would see them patrolling around the fence like soldiers on guard-duty. They even wore helmets for some reason…

Even inside his habitat, Alex wanted to escape so badly. He knew he couldn’t climb the fence for obvious reasons, and trying to smooth-talk her did virtually nothing. At times he got so frustrated he wanted to lash out and tell her how unfair she was. While he was afraid she would get mad, he was more afraid she would cry.

“Everything seems to be fine. You’re in good health. Although you should try and get some more sleep. You don’t look too well around the eyes.”

’Gee, I wonder why that is..?’ he thought sarcastically. “Sure Fluttershy. Thank you I will. You’re a good doctor. Or vet…” he smiled politely, or though rather forced.

Fluttershy blushed and smiled back. “Thank you Alex.” She picked up her medical equipment, packed up her saddlebag and was about to leave. “Oh! Um… Before I go, is there anything you want? New water? Clean sheets? If you had an accident last night I’ll be happy to-”

“NO!” Alex exclaimed, making Fluttershy jump for a bit. “I mean, no Fluttershy. It’s okay. I’m fine.” Relieved, Fluttershy smiled and turned to leave. “Except… There is however one thing…”

She stopped. “Yes?”

Alex thought for a moment. “Um… My freedom? Squee!”

Fluttershy smiled weakly and shook her head. “Oh Alex… We’ve talked about this. You know I can’t do that. You have to stay here where it’s safe.”

“I know, but couldn’t you at least remove the fence? I’ve been very good and I’m not going to run away or anything.”

“I know you won’t Alex and I really wish I could do that, but this fence keeps you safe from anypony outside who wants to come in and bother you. I want you to have peace of mind and not to worry about anything. It’s just going to be you and me. No ponies to experiment on you or stuff you in crates. Put you on a leash and make you their pet or turn you into a pony… Hm… Although I have to admit, that last part was rather strange…” She trotted towards the entrance, unlocked it and stepped outside.
“Don’t worry Alex. With me around I’ll make sure nothing happens to you.” With that, she closed the door, locked all the locks in an instant and turned the power back on, causing much of the fence to spark with electricity. “I swear on it!”

“Great…” said Alex weakly as he slumped down on his garden chair and looked at the electrified fence. Somehow Fluttershy had weird sense of kindess… “I’ll just sit here and be safe then…”

*****

After putting away her saddlebag and having herself a good breakfast, Fluttershy exited through the door of her cottage and closed it. She was going to Ponyville to buy supplies and more food for herself, Alex and of course her animals. Before she could leave however, she stopped and looked at Angel.
“Keep a good eye on Alex, will you Angel Bunny?” Angel made a salute. Fluttershy giggled and rubbed his head. “I know I won’t have to worry about Alex when you’re here. I won’t be gone too long…”

As she was about to leave, she suddenly saw Twilight coming up the road and towards the cottage with a saddlebag.

“Hi Fluttershy!”

“Oh! Hi Twilight! What brings you here this morning?”

“Well…” Twilight nervously scratched her head. Fluttershy could see that Twilight’s saddlebag was filled with various books and writing quills.

“Are you doing some studying Twilight?”

“Actually… Yes. And I was wondering if I could… see Alex?” she smiled. Fluttershy looked at her curiously. “You see, I still need to do some research about Alex, his origins and the world he came from... It would benefit Equestria greatly. Also, the princess might be impressed with my findings.”

“Oh… I don’t know Twilight… I promised Alex that I would keep him safe and undisturbed. I’m afraid I can’t...”

“Please Fluttershy? I know he’s your responsibility Fluttershy, but there’s a lot we can still learn from him. I promise I won’t be a bother.”

“Oh Twilight… I don’t know…”

“Please Fluttershy? How about I just stand outside the fence and quietly observe him. I promise I won’t bother him.”

Fluttershy thought for a moment. “Well… I suppose that’ll be alright…”

“Great! Thanks!” Twilight immediately passed her and headed for the habitat.

“But wait… I-”

“Hey Sugarcube!” Fluttershy and suddenly saw Applejack approach her, along with her brother Big Mac who was pulling a large cart that was all covered up.

“Applejack? Big Mac? What brings you here?”

“We jus’ came by n’ wondered if we could see Alex. Ya see, we kinda feel bad fer all that chasin’ around we did, tryin’ to nab ‘im n’ all. So we figured we’d give ‘im a little peaceofferin’.” She gestured behind Big Mac who pulled away the coverings and saw a cart filled with all manner of apple related food. On top was even Granny Smith, who waved down at them. “We even brought Granny Smith along so she could meet Alex in person, as well as have ‘im taste some of her good ol’ home cookin’.” She reached into the cart and pulled out a fresh baked apple pie. Fluttershy smelled it and it made her mouth water.

“Oh… That’s a nice thought but…”

“But what Sugarcube?”

“Well… That is I… I don’t think you can feed him right now. He’s just had breakfast and he really needs to be-”

“Ain’t no problem Sugarcube! We’ll join ‘im and have ourselves a feast!”

“Darn tootin’!” said Granny Smith.

“Eeyup!” replied Big Mac.

“But… but-”

“SURPRISE!”

“Squeak!” Fluttershy nearly fell over after being startled by Pinkie Pie suddenly popped out of the apple pie.

“Funny... Ah’ don’t recall adding THAT ingredient…” said Granny Smith looking rather puzzled. The real question on everypony’s mind was how Pinkie was able fit in it.

“Pinkie Pie? What are you doing here?” cried Fluttershy as she got up. “And please not so loud. You’re scaring the other animals…”

“Sorry Fluttershy! *Giggle-Snort!* I just figured I’d come by and give Alex his House Warming Party.”

“Um… His House Warming Party?”

“Sure! That’s his new house isn’t it?” She pointed at the habitat. “Now that he’s got himself a new home, he now needs a good old fashion House Warming Party to get more settled in.”

“Um… Pinkie? I don’t think…”

“Say Pinkie? Any chance ya’ll can use any of our food fer this here House Warmin’ Party?” asked Applejack.

“We haven’t agreed…”

“Sure! More food, the better!”

“NO!” yelled Fluttershy suddenly, causing the others to look at her rather confused. “Uh… Sorry! What I mean is… We can’t have a party…”

“WHAT!?!” exclaimed Pinkie Pie. “Why not?”

“Alex just got up. And I don’t he’s ready to meet anypony else after that horrible ordeal last time. The last thing he needs is being bothered by more ponies. He really needs to be… alone..?” Fluttershy trailed off as she spotted Rarity humming as she gracefully trotting past them with a saddlebag of various sewing equipment. “Rarity?”

Realizing Fluttershy had noticed her, Rarity stopped. “Oh hey Fluttershy! I hope you don’t mind me coming here unannounced, but I simply need to see Alexander.”

“For what..?”

“Hey! What about the party?” cried Pinkie as she and Applejack were suddenly being ignored.

“You see darling, last time a saw him his clothes were in such a terrible state after all that running around in the woods. I simply had to come over and patch them up.”

Fluttershy was starting to get a little bit annoyed. There were too many ponies now and she had worked hard to make sure Alex would be alone. “That’s really nice of you Rarity but…”

“Hey Fluttershy!”

Fluttershy looked up and saw that Rainbow Dash had arrived. “Rainbow Dash! Are you here too?”

“Of course! I’ve been feeling a bit bored lately, so I decided to pay you and Alex a visit. Do think I can play with him? I brought a ball we could kick around.” She showed her a soccer ball she was carrying.

“That… very thoughtful of you Rainbow Dash, but Alex really doesn’t-”

“He’s over here everypony!” Fluttershy turned her head at the sound a new voice and saw more ponies arriving. This time it was the Cutie Mark Crusaders, along with Miss Cheerilee and their entire class.

“Jus’ wait til ya’ll see ‘im. Then ya will know we weren’t lyin’.”said Applebloom.

Fluttershy’s jaw dropped. “Wha..?”

“HEY FLUTTERSHY!” said the girls cheerfully in unison.

“Um… Hi girls..?”

“Come on everypony. Let’s go see the human!” shouted Scootaloo as she, the Crusaders and all the children galloped over to the habitat.

“GIRLS! What’s going-?”

“Hi Miss Fluttershy.”

“Miss Cheerilee? What’s happening? Why are you all here?” Fluttershy then gasped. “Is Suzie the Hamster sick?”

“Suzie is fine Miss Fluttershy.” said Cheerilee. “You see, the girls have been talking non-stop about this human you’ve been keeping here to the entire class and so after much persuasion and puppydog-eyes, I ‘decided’ to bring the whole class out to see him. I’m sorry if we caught you at a bad time, but surely you knew we were coming? You did get my letter, didn’t you?”

“L-Letter..?” Fluttershy glanced at her mailbox and noticed there was a lot of mail in it. She had been so busy tending to Alex she had completely forgotten to check her mail these past days. She galloped over and immediately sorted through them. Sure enough, Miss Cheerilee had sent her a letter. “I… Um…”

“Don’t worry Miss Fluttershy. It’s only for today. I’ll make sure the children behave and don’t rile up the human. Now children! Behave yourselves and don’t get too close.” yelled Cheerilee as she quickly cantered over to the habitat.

“Well! I guess we get to have our party after all!” said Pinkie cheerfully and skipped after. “Hey everypony! Wait up!”

“Uh… Ya okay Fluttershy?” asked Applejack concerned as Fluttershy seemed to be acting strange.

“Okay..?” Fluttershy’s eye twitched and her mane seemed to get ruffled up by the sheer stress of seeing so many ponies on her property. “Um… Do I look okay?”

*****

“Now careful children! Don’t get too close to the fence.” said Cheerilee as she tried to keep the children from getting to close the electric fence. “Besides that human could bite you!”

Alex woke to the commotion outside his habitat and saw to his surprise all the little ponies as they regarded him with such curious eyes. He sighed. It appeared that his fear of becoming a zoo attraction wasn’t that far off.

“That’s the human that caused so much trouble in Ponyville?” asked a young colt.

“Look at those things where his hooves ought to be. Those are weird.” said a young filly. “I don’t see any fangs or claws.”

“Don’t let that fool ya!” said another colt. “I’ll bet that if he gets the chance, he could eat us!”

Alex had to mentally laugh. Apparently these foals hadn’t been given the right information regarding his dietary habits. Still, they were young and innocent so he didn’t feel offended by any of that.

“Hmph! I don’t see what all the fuzz is about. It doesn’t look all that special.” said another filly with a rather obnoxious tone in her voice.

Alex’s smile faded as he for some reason felt that one was trouble. She was a pink earth pony and had a tiara on both her head and flank. Beside her was a dark grey earth pony filly with a silver spoon on her flank and probably in her mouth.

“Why isn’t it doing anything?”

“It’s just sitting there.” said the dark grey one.

“HEY HUMAN! DO SOMETHING! ENTERTAIN US!” yelled the pink one.

“Stop that Diamond Tiara!” said Sweetie Belle.

“What? We’re just telling it to do something.”

“It’s not an ‘it’, it’s a ‘he’!” said Scootaloo while glaring at her. “And if Alex is going to do anything, it will not be for you or Silver Spoon.” Diamond Tiara just looked away, along with Silver Spoon.

“Hmph!”

Alex just tuned it all out and ignored them as he sat quietly in his chair. Despite all the noise, he knew they couldn’t get to him. With any luck they would probably find him too boring and go away. He was however curious about what the Mane Six were doing.
He noticed Twilight was just sitting there alone and was taking notes. Whatever she was writing, it seemed to be a lot despite the fact that he was doing nothing of interest. The Apple Family was busy setting up tables while handing out food to some of the children that were hungry.
By the entrance to his habitat were Rainbow Dash, Rarity and Pinkie Pie. Rainbow Dash and Rarity were looking rather impatient as Pinkie was busy trying to pull the door open, despite the fact that it was locked up tight and it opened the other way.

“Ugh… What’s keeping Fluttershy?” groaned Rainbow Dash. “I’m wasting valuable playtime!” She then glanced in. “Nice place he’s got. But what’s with all this top security? For that matter, how can she even afford all this?”

“Just look at those clothes!” Rarity nearly screamed. “He really needs a new change of wardrobe. A mere patchwork simply won’t do!” She rushed towards the entrance and pulled Pinkie away. “Move aside!” She began to push, pull and even gnaw at the locks in hopes that she could break them with her teeth. “Ow… Oh… Where’s Spikey Wikey when you need him..?”

“There you are Fluttershy!” said Rainbow as Fluttershy and Applejack finally arrived. “What’s with all this tight security? I tried flying in and I nearly got my tail singed.”

“Yeah Fluttershy! How am I supposed to give his House Warming Party if I can’t get in?”

“Um... It’s for his… protection?”

“Protection?!” exclaimed Rarity. “Goodness darling, protection from what? It's only us here! For Celestia’s sake, hurry up and unlock this horrid door so I can go in and fix his clothes!” demanded Rarity.

“AND GIVE HIM HIS PARTY!!!” added Pinkie.

“Please everypony! Just calm down…”

“Miss Fluttershy!” A young colt suddenly appeared beside her and was tugging her mane to get her attention. Soon more flocked around her. “Tell us how you caught this human. I bet he must’ve been really scary.”

“He’s not…”

“You weren’t scared, were you Miss Fluttershy.” asked a young filly. “I would’ve been really scared if I saw him walking around. You caught him with that ‘Stare’ of yours, right?”

“I…”

“Of course she did! He must be really dangerous!”

“He isn’t…”

“I bet if she didn’t use her ‘Stare’, he’d probably eaten her!” said a young colt with an English accent.

“Eat?! You misunderstand! He’s not…”

“Come on! Do something!” Diamond Tiara’s yelling suddenly caught Fluttershy’s attention as she saw her and her friend still yelling at Alex.

“Do I have to make daddy pay to make you move? Come on already!” With her patience finally running dry, Diamond Tiara reached for a rock on the ground and tossed it at Alex, hitting him the head.

KLONK!

Fluttershy gasped as the rock hit him.

“Ouch! HEY!” exclaimed Alex and rubbed his head. It didn’t hurt that much, but now it was starting to get ugly.

“Come on you stupid human. Entertain us!”

“DIAMOND TIARA! That was uncalled for!” yelled Scootaloo.

“So what? He’s a human. He probably doesn’t have any real feelings.”

“ENOUGH!!!”

Everypony suddenly froze at Fluttershy’s yell. The children all looked at her and saw the menacing glare in her eyes. They all gulped and backed away from the fence, including the Mane Six.
Fluttershy narrowed her eyes and stomped towards Diamond Tiara with a frightening look of anger in her eyes. Silver Spoon practically fled the scene, leaving a quivering Diamond Tiara to fend for herself as Fluttershy loomed over her. “How dare you…?”

Diamond Tiara gulped. “I… I…”

“HOW DARE YOU?!”

“I’m- I’m sorry!”

“Throwing rocks at poor and helpless Alex? Have you no shame? I ought to tell your father!” Diamond Tiara cringed at the sound of that. She was daddy’s perfect little filly. Fluttershy then eyed Silver Spoon who tried to hide behind some of her classmates. “Shame on you! Shame on you both!” She then turned towards the others. “Shame on all of you! I’ve tried my best to keep Alex safe from you all and you just come over here and bother him with your noise and silly lies?” Everypony looked both ashamed and confused. Fluttershy eyed Diamond Tiara again. “And you! You really should learn to treat others with more respect. How would you like it if somepony threw rocks at you?”

“We… We didn’t mean it.” Squeaked Silver Spoon as she shoved forward by the others. “We just wanted him to do something…”

“Besides…” Diamond Tiara squeaked. “It was just a tiny rock. It’s not like he really felt that. He’s just a dumb animal, isn’t he? Isn’t that why he’s in that cage?”

“That’s not a cage and he’s not an animal! He’s…” Fluttershy’s then looked at Alex and her eyes suddenly widened as realization hit her. “He’s not an animal…”

~~*~~

Fluttershy suddenly had a glimpse of the future. Her future!

She saw herself as an old mare now, still tending to her animals like she always did. She then saw herself trotting over to Alex’s habitat, only now she didn’t recognize it anymore. Her cute little habitat that was meant to protect Alex, was now transformed into a huge black fortress, decorated with landmines covering the ground outside. Spotlights were flashing everywhere and a vicious-looking Orthros was guarding the front door. Its two heads snarled as her elderly self approached.

“It’s okay. It’s just ‘mommy’.” said the elderly Fluttershy. The Orthros then panted happily, waged its tail and stepped aside as she let herself in. Inside the darkness of Alex’s fortified habitat was his little house, now looking rather colorless and dilapidated. “Alex? Alex dear? It’s time for your bath honey…”

The door to the house opened and a shadowy figure stepped out. Alex was now a grey and tired old man.

“Here Alex!” She flew over and held his arm. “Let me help you. Let me protect like I promised I always would.”

“Hi Fluttershy…” said Alex in his weak old-timey voice. “How’s the world? I can’t seem to remember the last time I saw it… Is the grass still green? Fluttershy? Fluttershy?”

~~*~~

“Fluttershy?”

Twilight’s voice woke Fluttershy from her trance and she shook away that terrible look of fear at the vision she just saw. She now realized she had made a mistake.

“Fluttershy are you okay?” asked Twilight concerned as Fluttershy’s eyes were now starting to well up. “You kinda zoned out for a moment-”

“No…”

Twilight cocked an eyebrow. “I’m sorry?” Suddenly, Fluttershy rushed past everypony and galloped over to the entrance. “Fluttershy?”

She stopped to a halt by the entrance and grabbed a cord that was hidden behind the some bushes with her teeth. She pulled the plug and the electrical power surrounding the fence suddenly shut down. She removed all the locks and tore the door wide open.

“Alex! Come out! Come out at once!” Alex was utterly surprised by this action. He didn’t really like the tone in Fluttershy’s voice and was rather hesitant to comply. “I said come out! You’re free!” Realizing she was acting irrational, she began to sob and softened her voice. “I’m sorry… Please… Come out…”

After hearing her sweet loving voice, Alex slowly walked towards Fluttershy and out of his habitat. He felt Fluttershy gently take his hand with her hoof and led him towards the others. The Mane Six watched carefully at them and wondered what was going on. Pinkie Pie however seemed too focused on the cord. The children, except for the Crusaders, quickly backed away in concern. “He’s loose! To me children!” said Cheerilee almost in a panic.

“No! You don’t need to be afraid. Alex is not dangerous. He never was!” She then threw herself around his neck and cried as she hugged him. “I’m SO sorry Alex! I only wanted to protect you! I didn’t want to hurt you!”

Alex was confused. With no other way of expressing himself he suddenly found himself just hugging her back. “It’s okay Fluttershy..?”

“No! It’s not okay! I thought I was doing the right thing. I thought I was protecting you, but instead I had you locked up like a prisoner. I denied you your freedom because I was afraid to lose you and that ponies would hurt you. But instead, I was the one that hurt you, by keeping you here against your will. I’m so sorry Alex! I’m so SO sorry!” she sobbed and drenched his shoulder with tears.

“I… I forgive you Fluttershy.” He gently pulled her away from him and looked her in the eyes. “I forgive you. You thought you were protecting me and I understand that. I appreciate everything you’ve done-” He felt a tug on his leg and suddenly saw Angels pulling on his pants with a frown on his face. “-what you and your animal friends have done, but you have to understand that I’m not like Angel or any of your animals. I’m more like you, in a way... And while I am the only human in Equestria, that doesn’t make me the last of my kind. Whatever this world throws at me, I can handle it.”

“Wise words truly spoken!”

Everypony turned their heads and saw Celestia along with Luna as they approached Fluttershy’s cottage.

“Princess!” said Twilight as she stepped forward and bowed. Everypony else did the same and bowed before them.

“Hello Twilight. Greetings everypony!”

“Your Highness!” Fluttershy pulled away from Alex and tearfully approached them. “I’m so sorry for the way I’ve treated Alex. If you’ve come to punish me then that is what I deserve.”

Celestia just smiled and calmed her. “I’m not going to punish you Fluttershy. In truth, you’ve been very good to Alex.”

“Not too good…” Fluttershy uttered. “I’ve kept him here against will and tried to keep the world away from him.”

“You gave him a home, food, lots of attention and care. And you stood up for him when he needed you. What you have realized is that not all beings, sentient or otherwise, need to be locked away for their own good. They have the right to remain free just like you and your animal friends. That’s a true act of kindness.”

“You’re right Princess! You’re right!” Fluttershy wiped away her tears and turned towards Alex. “Oh Alex! I’ve been such a cruel pony! You must hate me!”

Alex was quite taken back by that. Sure her methods of keeping him safe were a bit over the top, but she had been far from cruel. “Woah! Woah!! Fluttershy, you’re being too hard on yourself! You’re not a cruel pony and I don’t hate you! Come here!” He pulled Fluttershy in and gave her a hug. “It’s alright Fluttershy. It’s alright.”

Fluttershy tearfully smiled and hugged him back. All the ponies around them smiled and some cried tears of their own at this emotional sight, right before Pinkie suddenly appeared out of nowhere.

“ENOUGH WITH ALL THIS SAPPY STUFF! IT’S TIME FOR A PARTY!!!” She pulled a device out of her mane and pushed a red button. And with that, the entire placed exploded in confetti and streamers as cheerful party music suddenly started playing. She had used the electricity and turned the entire habitat into a Party House! Everypony, without bothering to ask how or when, started laughing and dancing to the beat. Even the animals joined in. “Now it’s no longer just a House Warming Party! It’s a ‘ALEX FORGIVES FLUTTERSHY’ PARTY!”

“I’m glad you don’t hate me Alex.” said Fluttershy while wiping away a tear. “But I suppose you’ll be moving out now…”

“Who says I’m moving out? I wouldn’t dream of looking for something else, not after all that trouble you and your animals went through building it.”

“You… you really like it?”

“Sure.” Of course, Alex couldn’t really say no as he had noticed Angel standing behind him with a wrench behind his back and giving him a rather uncomfortable glare that made him sweat. “However, there are some things I’d like to change if that’s okay..?”

“Anything! Just name it.”

*****

*YAWN!*

Alex woke to the sound of birds chirping through his window as a new day was upon him. He jumped out of bed and opened the window of house, which was now moved a bit closer to Ponyville. Applejack and her brother had been kind enough to help with moving the house from Fluttershy’s property and found a good spot for him to settle. Along with a few minor additions to its interior, his house practically became a palace fit for a king.

Not to mention he could now finally sleep soundly at night.

Breathing in the morning air, he then headed for his actual bathroom with his own bathtub. After a quick and early morning shower, he jumped into his new attire Rarity had made for him and had himself a hearty breakfast before bravely facing the world outside.

As he stepped out for his morning walk, he was immediately greeted by ponies who didn’t chase him, but now wished him good morning, smiling and waving their hooves as Alex waved back. While there were many random faces that met him every morning, there was always a mint green unicorn sitting upright on a bench who greeted him more so than the others. She even wanted to shake his hands every time and seemed to blush when he did.

After a quick stroll through Ponyville, Alex headed out into the woods. It didn’t take long for him to reach Fluttershy’s cottage. He could already see her mingling with her animal friends, tending to the wounded and singing with them.

“Good morning Fluttershy!”

“Oh! Good morning Alex!” She quite literally dropped everything and flew over giving him a hug. “How are you today?”

“I’m quite well Fluttershy, thank you.”

“You want to come in? Have some tea? Or do want to help me feed and tend to the animals? They’ve really missed you.” Alex noticed that some animals did start to flock around him and nuzzle his legs. A bird even landed on his shoulder.

“Thanks, but it depends if I really can today. Just yesterday Applejack asked me if I could help her and her brother out on the farm today. Twilight asked if I could come over so she could learn more about my world. Pinkie Pie invited me over to Sugarcube Corner to bake and eat some cupcakes, though I’m not sure if that’s what she wanted... She had weird look… Anyway, then Rarity asked if I could come to her boutique and help her out with some new fashion ideas. Rainbow Dash asked if I would like to have a wrestling match with her. Even the Crusaders asked if I wanted to play with them today and help them earn cutie marks.”

“Oh… I see…” Fluttershy suddenly looked sad.

“Even Princess Luna appeared in my dreams and asked if I wanted to play a game with her. And Princess Celestia wrote me a letter telling me she had made some progress…”

“I guess that means you’ll be very busy today… It’s a shame… My animals and I really wanted to spend some time with you today. They rarely get to see you and I only see once or twice a week.” She dropped her head low and slowly trotted away. “But it was nice of you to come over and visit me before you go to Applejack. I won’t take any more of your time, so I guess-”

Alex then suddenly laughed. “Fluttershy… I said they asked me, I didn’t say I agreed.” Her ears perked and she threw him a surprised look. “The reason I came over is because I’ve decided to spend some time with you today.”

“Really?”

“Well, yeah! I mean, aside from everypony else, you’re the only one who never seems to ask me.”

Fluttershy blushed. She was still too embarrassed from her actions earlier and was too shy to ask him, afraid that he’d say no. She shed a small tear before giving him another hug. “Thank you Alex!” Once she released him, she took his hand and led him to her cottage. “How about we get inside and have some tea before we start? You can tell me all about how you’ve been doing in Ponyville.”

“Sounds great Fluttershy.”

She opened the door and let him inside. “Oh! By the way, I have another visitor. He just popped in to say hello.”

“A visitor? One of the mares from town? Or perhaps a colt-friend?” Alex joked, making Fluttershy blush slightly.

“He’s not a pony…”

“Not a pony? Who is it? Is he one of your animal friends? What is he? A deer?” Fluttershy shook her head. “Is he an owl? A lion? A hawk? Ooh! Ooh! He’s a dragon?” Fluttershy shook her head some more. “Then what is he? He can’t be a human?”

“Human? While I’m definitely a lot of things, I don’t think I have anything like that on me…”

Alex turned towards the new voice and saw a weird chaotic-looking creature right in front of him, looking at him with bright yellow eyes. It had one tooth, long white beard and its body was composed of all manner of creatures. Alex froze up as it floated towards him and reached out its paw.

“Alex... This is Discord.”

“Why hello there! Fluttershy’s told me a lot about you!”

*SHRIEK!*

THE END

The CMC Wins

View Online

Chapter 17: The Winner is…

Somepony had succeeded in getting to him first before Twilight and the princesses’. Once they got a better view of the lucky pony, Celestia smiled and cleared her throat.

“The hunt is over! The winners are… THE CUTIEMARK CRUSADERS!”

Everypony looked up and saw Applebloom, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo all clinging on to Alex for dear life.

“Aaaaw…” the other ponies groaned with disappointment.

“YAY!” cheered Pinkie Pie.

As Alex was lowered gently to the ground, he slowly opened his eyes and saw the Cutiemark Crusaders all holding on to him. One by one, the fillies opened their eyes and blinked with surprise.

“Did… Did we..?” uttered Scootaloo.

“Ah guess we did…” uttered Applebloom.

“We really did it!” exclaimed Sweetie Belle. “We caught him… WE CAUGHT HIM!”

“Ya’ll know what that means?”

Alex gulped. “Oh no…”

“CUTIEMARK CRUSADERS: HUMAN OWNERS! YAY!!!”

‘My poor ears…’ Alex mentally sobbed.

The Crusaders released themselves from Alex and quickly lined up as they regarded their flanks with great expectations. Any second now, their cutiemarks would appear and their quest would finally be-

“Nothing?” lamented Sweetie Belle as her flank was as blank as it was this morning.

“Groan! What gives?!” yelled Scootaloo. “We caught him and still no cutiemarks?”

“Ah don’t understand either.”

“Maybe we should…”

“Well Ah’ll be…” Before Sweetie Belle could finish her sentence, she and the Crusaders recognized Applejack’s voice and saw her, Rarity and Rainbow Dash eagerly galloping towards them. “That’s my Applebloom!” Applejack immediately embraced Applebloom in a big hug. “Ya really made yer big sister proud!”

“Uh… Thanks Sis..?”

“Well done Sweetie Belle darling!” Rarity hugged her tight. “You actually caught him. Marvelous job!”

“Crushing… Me…”

“Way tha’ go squirt!” cheered Rainbow Dash as she gave Scootaloo a noogie. “I knew you could do it!”

“Thanks Rainbow Dash!”

They were soon joined by the other ponies. “Congratulations Cutie Mark Crusaders.” said Celestia proudly. “I have to admit, that was quite a unique way of capture I have ever seen.”

“More like they were just lucky…” Luna muttered quietly beneath her breath.

Celestia trotted over to Alex. “Are you alright Alex? You’re not hurt are you?”

“No… I’m fine…” said Alex while rubbing his one ear with his finger. “My ears however-”

“WE’RE FINE TOO PRINCESS! THANK YOU PRINCESS!”

Alex shut his ears and whimpered as he didn’t know how much more punishment his ears could take.

“That’s good to hear.” said Celestia, painfully rubbing her one ear with her hoof. “Now that you have him, what are you going to do with him?” Celestia asked curiously

“Isn’t obvious?” said Rainbow suddenly as the girls were about to answer. “Scootaloo here caught him so that I could play with him.” She playfully ruffled Scootaloo’s mane.

“Huh?!?”

“Now hold on there one pickin’ minute!” Applejack protested. “Applebloom caught ‘im so that he could help me earn Bits fer tha farm!”

“But Applejack…”

“That’s absurd!” exclaimed Rarity as she gracefully trotted up to them. “Sweetie caught him so that I could take him the Evening Gallop Party. Isn’t that true Sweetie darling?”

“Well… uh…”

“Sweetie dear, you know how important the Evening Gallop Party is to me?”

“Come on Scootaloo. You wouldn’t want to disappoint your Number One idol?”

“Applebloom, think of the family!”

The Crusaders didn’t know what to say. “Gee Applejack…” Applebloom struggled while nervously rubbing the back of her head. “We didn’t actually catch ‘im fer y’ guys… We jus’ wanted to catch ‘im so we could get our cutiemarks.”

The three mares looked at eachother and didn’t know what else to say. Then Rainbow Dash had an idea.

“You know girls… Helping somepony in need is important. Really important. You might say it’s worth, oh I don’t know… a cutiemark?” Rainbow finished with a wink.

“A CUTIEMARK!?!” The girls exclaimed in unison.

Rarity and Applejack shot Rainbow a seriously confused look. “What? What in tarnation are ya-?” It took only a moment for the realization to sink in and they understood what she was doing. If that was the way Rainbow wanted to play it…

“That’s right girls! An’ ya know what else? Ya’ll get a reward fer it too!”

“A REWARD?”

“Of course Sweetie!” said Rarity. “I’ll recommend you and your friends to the best sponsors in all of Canterlot! Your faces will be recognized all over Equestria!”

“Think ‘bout it Applebloom! Piles of Bits! Big as mountains! Ah’ll even give ya twenty percent!”

“Front row seats to the upcoming Wonderbolt Show starring yours truly?” Rainbow winked at Scootaloo.

The Crusaders eyes sparkled with glee. Overcome with the excitement of this news, the fillies quickly went into a huddle.

“This here is too good to be true…” Applebloom whispered.

“We can’t pass up this opportunity!” replied Scootaloo.

“I agree with Scootaloo.” Sweetie Belle chirped with excitement. “Let’s do it!”

“YEAH!”

“CUTIEMARK CRUSADERS; PONY HELPERS! YAY!”

The girls immediately rushed over to Alex. “COME ON ALEX!”

TUG!

They didn’t get far however as they quickly realized something was wrong. The more one of kept pulling, the more the others pulled just as hard.

“You girls didn’t think this whole thing through, did you?” said Alex as he was being pulled in three directions.

“Let go! He’s gonna help Applejack!” said Applebloom angrily.

“No way! He’s going to Rainbow Dash!” said Scootaloo.

“Na-ah! He’s going to help Rarity!” argued Sweetie Belle.

The more they argued, the more they pulled. Alex was now standing on one leg whiles both his arms and left leg was being pulled in separate directions. He felt like he was at a Quartering. “Easy girls…”

“Girls! GIRLS!” yelled Applejack. “Now what in tha’ Hay is wrong Applebloom? What’s keepin’ ya n’ Alex?”

“Ah want to help ya Sis, but they won’t let me!”

“That’s because I want to give him to Rainbow Dash!” said Scootaloo.

“No he ain’t!” said Applebloom. “Besides, Ah was the one who caught ‘im first!”

“WHAT!?!” Both Scootaloo and Applebloom suddenly let go of Alex. “What are you talking about? I was the one who landed on him first!”

“But usin’ the tree branch as a catapult was MAH idea!” Applebloom argued and pushed her muzzle against Scootaloo’s while glaring at her. “Therefore he’s goin’ with Applejack!”

“No!!” yelled Sweetie Belle as she squeezed her head between them, their muzzles pushing against her cheeks. “I was the one that lost my footing that caused us all to get launched into the air! He’s going with Rarity!”

“APPLEJACK!”

“RAINBOW DASH!”

“RARITY!”

All three growled at eachother like angry dogs and started fighting.

“GIRLS! GIRLS!!” Applejack dove in and managed to separate them. “Now this here ain’t the way to settle things! Ah’m sure we can work this out somehow!” She thought for a moment and then had an idea. “Ah got it! Why don’t we all take turns? Ah gets to keep ‘im first and then Rainbow Dash-”

“Hey! Why do you get to keep him first? Why can’t I keep him first?” Rainbow argued.

“Because Ah said so! Ya wanna settle this with a hoof wrestle?”

“Any time 'Applesnack'!”

“Now girls, if there’s anypony who is going to keep Alexander, then it should be me!” said Rarity. “It’s ladies first after all, and everypony knows its pearls before swine.”

“SAY WHAT?!?”

Rainbow and Applejack tackled Rarity and began to fight. Soon all three mares and three fillies were at eachother’s throats arguing over the possession of Alex while everypony looked on with deadpanned expressions. Alex too just sat there and stared at them. While he knew was popular, he never expected them to actually fight over him.

“GIRLS! EVERYPONY!” Twilight suddenly stepped in and finally stopped the fight with her magic. Everypony was instantly frozen in place and once all had calmed down, she released them. “Now I’m sure there’s a reasonable way to settle this…” She spoke to her three friends. “The Cutie Mark Crusaders were the ones that caught Alex, therefore the decision on what to do with him lies with them. And nopony gets to tell them otherwise.”

“But Twilight!” Rarity pouted with her mane and coat in a complete mess.

“No ‘buts’ Rarity. That goes for you as much as everypony.” Twilight then trotted over to the Crusaders. “Now girls… You three caught Alex, so I ask you; what are you going to do with him?”

The girls looked at eachother before answering. “We wanna earn our cutiemarks!” said Applebloom.

“Anything else? The last time we spoke, you girls said something about taking him to school and show him to everypony in your class. You even said you were going to become Human Experts.”

“We did say that yes, but… But if Alex is really that important, then we shouldn’t keep him all to ourselves.” said Scootaloo.

“And besides, a cutiemark fer helpin’ somepony doesn’t sound too bad, right Twilight?” said Applebloom.

“Not to mention the reward!” chimed Sweetie Belle!

Twilight threw her three friends a venomous glare for putting those thoughts and ideas in their heads, just for the sake of getting their hooves on Alex. “Well then girls. If that’s what you want, then I suppose I can’t tell you otherwise. So… Who shall it be? Who gets to keep Alex?”
The Crusaders looked at the three ponies behind Twilight. Rarity, Rainbow Dash and Applejack did their best, greatest and darndest to ‘kiss up’ to them, by smiling and acting needier than the other. The Crusaders silently looked at eachother.

“We… We don’t know...”

Twilight rubbed her chin. “Maybe you girls should ask Alex what he wants?” Twilight looked at Alex. “What do think? Do you want to stay with the girls or do you want to go with one of my friends?”

“How about none of them? Does that count?”

“Sorry no.”

Alex sighed and took a moment to consider his best options; to be a pegasus’ toy, a unicorn’s pet or an earth-pony’s circus freak. “I wanna stay with the girls.”

Rainbow Dash, Rarity and Applejack let out a disappointed groan.

“You are sure about this Alex? Don’t you want to settle this right now?” asked Twilight. “Or do you have other options? Perhaps you want to stay with-”

“NO CHANCE! They got me, so they decide! End of story!”

“It’s true! Says so on the title…” Pinkie Pie added.

Twilight sighed. “Fine… Whatever you say.”

‘Which is perfect! Alex smirked and rubbed his hands. 'I would have no chance getting away from either Rainbow Dash, Rarity or Applejack. But these three little fillies? I’m big and they are small. How are they going to stop me? The first chance I get, I’ll be free a bird!’

“Well, its settled then.” said Twilight. “Until you girls figure out what to do with him, I think we should get back to Ponyville now. It’s getting late and it’s been a REALLY long day.”

“Not my fault!” Alex yelled.

“I agree.” said Celestia suddenly. She and her sister had been awfully quiet throughout this whole conversation. “It has been a long and tiring day, and Alex truly deserves a rest. I trust you girls will look well after him?”

“WE WILL!” said the girls in unison.

“But where is he going to stay?” said Rainbow suddenly.

“Easy! He can stay at the farm! There’s plenty of room there.”

“Why can’t he stay at our house?” Sweetie Belle argued. “It’s way better than a farm.”

“Why not at my place? He’s never been there.”

“GIRLS!” They stopped arguing as Twilight spoke up. “You know… There is a ‘fourth option’…”

*****

Later that evening…

“Now this was a great idea!” said Scootlaoo as she unfolded her sleeping bag. “Having a sleepover in our clubhouse!”

“I know!” replied Sweetie Belle. “It belongs to all three of us. It’s perfect!”

“Now are ya’ll sure ya still wanna do this?” asked Applejack as she helped Applebloom getting settled in. “Y’ know Ah don’t really like the idea of ya’ll sleepin’ out here outdoors by yerselves.”

“Don’t worry Applejack.” said Applebloom. “We ain’t sleepin’ outdoors, we’re sleepin’ indoors. We’ll be jus’ fine.”

“That’s not what Ah…”

“Yeah! It’ll be just like camping.” Sweetie Belle chirped. “Right Rarity?” Everyone’s attention was drawn to Rarity as she and the rest of the girls entered the clubhouse.

Rarity looked at the interior of the clubhouse. “Well… It’s not the Royal Suite, but I suppose it’ll be alright…” She scraped at the wall and her hoof was covered in dust. “Blech! Though it could use a mare’s touch…”

“Besides Applejack, we ain’t that far from the farm. If there’s any trouble, we’ll gallop on over.”

Applejack looked at her sister. “Ah suppose that’s alright…”

“Well, I’m just glad you girls figured out a place to keep Alex…” said Twilight with a rather forced smile. “But are you sure you wouldn’t rather keep him in my library?”

“It’s okay Twilight! We appreciate the offer but we figured this was a better idea.” said Scootaloo.

“Well… That’s okay I guess…” Twilight had originally intended for them to sleep in her library. That way she would’ve had the opportunity to have Alex close by. Sadly for her, those dreams quickly dashed. “Just promise you’ll keep close to Alex. By the way… Where is Alex?”

“He’s over thar on the table.”

~~*~~

Flashback…

“Ah got it!” yelled Applebloom! “We’ll keep ‘im in our clubhouse!”

“YEAH!”

“What?” Twilight blinked. “Actually girls… I was thinking that maybe you could-”

“Your clubhouse?” asked Rainbow Dash as she interrupted Twilight. “Are you sure that’s a good idea?”

“Sure!” said Scootaloo. “It’s ours and we can keep him there until morning.”

“Just one question… how exactly are you three supposed to keep him there?” Rainbow trotted over and compared her size to Alex. He didn’t like the way she was eying him. She then compared herself to the Crusaders. “He’s pretty big don’t you think?”

Now that Rainbow mentioned it, Alex was way bigger than the last time they had him.

‘Shut up Rainbow…’ Alex mentally groaned. She was ruining his plan.

“What’s to stop him from just waltzing out your door and escaping into the night while you sleep? Rules or not, I don’t think he’s just gonna sit down and wait for you guys to come to any decisions.”

‘SHUT UP RAINBOW!!!’

The Crusader’s ears flattened as they knew that Rainbow had a point. Alex could easily run away from them the first moment he got and they couldn’t keep eyes on him twenty-four hours a day.

“So… What do we do?” asked Applebloom.

“Well…” said Twilight with a bright smile. “There’s still my library and-”

“Face it girls. You’re way over your heads on this one. Lexy is just too big for you three to handle.”

“WAIT!” Pinkie Pie suddenly appeared beside Rainbow Dash and grabbed the bottle from around her neck. “Not if they have this!” She then tossed it to the Crusaders.

“HEY!!”

Alex’s eyes widened. ’Oh no!’

The Crusaders caught the bottle and looked at rather confused. “What is it?”

“The answer to your problem! A Shrinking Potion!”

“A SHRINKING POTION?”

“A Shrinking Potion?” Twilight asked Rainbow while giving her a suspicious look.

“Ahehe… Long story Twilight…”

“Can’t wait to hear about that…”

The Crusaders stared at the bottle. They then looked at Alex and knew exactly what to do with it.

Alex’s eyes widened and he cringed when he saw those devious smiles on their faces. “You wouldn’t dare…”

~~*~~

‘Trapped… Like a bird in a cage… Not what I envisioned…’

Alex sighed. He couldn’t believe it happened again. His previous experience of being trapped in a jar wasn’t his greatest moment and he had really hoped of not repeating it, especially after the Cockatrice incident.
For now it served as his premature bedroom, equipped with a tiny bed that Sweetie Belle had brought with her shortly after returning to Ponyville. It belonged to one of her little dolls and claimed it was the largest and comfortable bed she had. While Alex was thankful for not sleeping on the hard glass, he wished she had brought him a bed that wasn’t so incredibly pink and girlish.

He did take one great solace from his predicament. While he was tiny again, he was fortunately not in Rainbow Dash’s hooves, despite the fact that both she and Pinkie Pie were now just outside watching him carefully from the edge of table. Rainbow had her face hard pressed against the glass and he could tell she was just itching to just grab him and fly away.

“You know…” Pinkie said. “Looking at him now, he’s really kinda cute. I think you were on to something there Dashie. Dashie?”

“So… close…”

“Poor little thing…” said Fluttershy as she approached the table with Rarity behind Rainbow and Pinkie. “I really don’t like to see him this way. He shouldn’t be trapped in a jar.”

“I have to agree Fluttershy.” said Rarity. She gently tapped on the glass to get his attention. “Alexander dear, are you okay in there?” He barely acknowledged her. “Look, you don’t have to be humiliated like this. You could object to this and just tell them what you really want. Living with me and Sweetie Belle is way better than...”

“It’s okay girls…” said Alex in a somewhat nonchalant voice and waved her off. “I can deal with this. Remember, your princess’ rules were quite clear. They caught me and therefor they decide what to do with me. And if they want to shrink me and place me inside this jar like some pathetic little bug, then who am I to complain, right?” Rarity didn’t take too well to his sarcastic tone.
“Of course, I can think of a few better things to complain about…” He glanced down at his bed and silently groaned. Sleeping on a pink toy bed with white frills was sort of his lowest point ever.

“Alexander…”

“If you girls don’t mind, I’m fed up, tired and I would really like to go to sleep and try to forget where I am. To be honest, I’ve had enough of ponies…”

Fluttershy’s at the sound of those words. “Alex…”

Alex ignored them and tucked himself in as best he could. He groaned. Not only was the bed incredibly girlish, it was too small as well. ’Largest and comfortable bed in my collection… Yeah right…’

Fluttershy’s eyes welled up. “He… He hates us…”

“He’s just tired, dear.” Rarity reassured her as she tried comfort her. “I’m sure he doesn’t hate you or anypony…”

“Okay everypony! It’s time we went back to tha farm.” Applejack called out. “Let’s jus’ leave the girls and Alex alone and we’ll see ‘em tomorrow.” Rarity and Fluttershy took one last look at Alex before heading out with Twilight. “Well okay girls. We’ll be leavin’ now. Jus’ remember that we’re all at the farmhouse. Should anythin’ happen, don’t hesitate to rush on over.”

“We will Applejack.”

Applejack gave Applebloom a smile. As she was about to leave, she shot a glance back and saw that Pinkie and Rainbow were still glued to the jar.

“Cheer up Alex!” said Pinkie. “It’s only for tonight. Tomorrow will make things all better, you’ll see.” Alex just pulled the sheet over his head and ignored her. “Aw…” Pinkie’s ears flattened.

“Come now Pinkie. Leave the poor fella alone. He’s been through enough as it is.” Pinkie sighed but did what she was told and stepped away from the jar. Applejack then grabbed Rainbow by her tail and pulled her away from the jar. “Come along now Rainbow Dash. Let the Alex have his privacy.”

“So… Close…” Rainbow whimpered as she was pulled away, leaving skid marks on the floor.

Applejack glanced at the tiny form of Alex and her heart began to ache for the little guy. He looked like a condemned prisoner. But she was doing the right thing, wasn’t she? Alex was going to have a better life with her family. She silently hoped that Applebloom and the girls would come to some agreement soon. “Ya comin’ Pinkie?”

“I’m coming! Just a sec!” Pinkie looked around for a bit to make sure nopony was looking. “Psst! Alex! I’ve got a present for you.” Even though Alex could care less, he gave her a brief moment of attention.
Pinkie reached inside her mane, pulled out a blanket and covered it over the jar. “There you go! Your very own curtain! Now you can sleep in private without anypony looking at you.”

“Gee… Thanks…” Alex answered sarcastically.

“You’re welcome!” Pinkie was about to leave when she suddenly stopped and glanced sadly back at him. She couldn’t stand to see anypony being that miserable. She thought for a second and had an idea. “I know! Nopony has given you a good night kiss yet! That always cheers me up when I go to sleep!”

Alex quickly sat up and wondered if he heard her right. “Huh? Kiss?”

Pinkie lifted the blanket away and unscrewed the lid of the jar. “Want me to kiss you goodnight, Alex?”

“What? No! I don’t want a kiss! Just leave me alone!”

“Goodnight Alex! Sleep tight!” Alex’s eyes grew wide as she pressed her large head inside the jar and puckered her lips. Alex froze as the giant horse lips closed in on him.

“PINKIE!!!”

SMOOCH!

“Pinkie?” Applejack called out from outside. “Hurry up already! Granny is makin’ cocoa and if ya’ don’t, it’ll be all gone!”

Pinkie’s ears perked with wild excitement. She quickly pulled her head out and it was comically shaped like the jar.
“COCOA?!?” she muffled before shaking it back to normal.

Pinkie quickly covered up the jar and zoomed out of the clubhouse, passing everypony as if they were standing still. Applejack shook her head.
“Now WE gotta hurry befur it’s all gone.” she giggled. “Night girls! See ya’ll tomorrow!”

“Good night Applejack!”

As the girls lay on the floor of their clubhouse, all wrapped up comfortably in their sleeping bags, they quietly looked at the jar, still covered up by Pinkie’s blanket. Many thoughts went through their heads. They knew they had to make a decision on what to do with Alex. They were convinced that he held the key to earning their cutiemarks, but they also really wanted to help the ponies they cared for. The biggest problem was that Alex didn’t go three ways and they had to agree on which pony was more important.

“Ah really think we should give Alex to Applejack ya’ guys. Jus’ think ‘bout all them Bits we will earn.”

“But the Evening Gallop Party is really important for Rarity.” said Sweetie Belle. “And I would love to be recognized all over Canterlot. Think of all that attention!”

“But if we give him to Rainbow Dash, she’ll be really proud of us. She’ll give us first row seats to her opening act for the Wonderbolt Show. I really want to see that!”

Applebloom sighed. “Looks like we ain’t gonna settle this here tonight. Let’s jus’ go to sleep n’ then maybe we’ll figure somethin’ out in tha mornin’.” Her friends nodded in agreement. They yawned as they tucked themselves in. Applebloom reached for the flashlight next to her and turned it off before tucking herself in as well.
As she lay there on the floor with her two friends, Applebloom couldn’t shake the feeling that her friends would pull something while she slept. She too really wanted to help her sister and the chance of earning a cutiemark for it was really tempting. She wanted to take Alex to the farm and get it over and done with, but doing that behind her best friends backs just didn’t seem fair.
Trying to suppress any thought about it, she turned on her side away from the jar and closed her eyes.

“Good night Alex!” said Sweetie Belle. There was no response. “Alex?” She knew that Alex wasn’t really in the greatest of moods after they shrank him. He put up some resistance before Rainbow intervened and held him down long enough for them to accomplish the task. They had promised it would only be for tonight and had even been given the antidote. She took Alex’s silence as a sign that he was probably already asleep and just shrugged. “Night Alex…”

KA-BLAM!

The Crusaders jumped as the sound of lightning filled the room. They quickly got up and hurried to the nearest window. It was beginning to rain and dark clouds in the night sky indicated that a storm was coming.

“Looks like there’s a storm scheduled tonight…” said Scootaloo.

“Looks like it… Not to worry though. Our clubhouse can stand anythin’. We’ll be okay.”

“Are you sure Applebloom?” asked Sweetie Belle slightly worried. “I don’t really like lightning…”

“Ah’m sure. We’re gonna be fine. Now let’s all go back to sleep.”

The Crusaders tucked themselves back into their sleeping bags and slowly drifted back to sleep while the storm was slowly building up outside.

*****

It had now been an hour since the Crusaders went to sleep. Outside the storm went on as usual. Rain was dripping on the roof, the lightning was crashing outside and the wind made the boards and walls of the treehouse creak and snap.

Yet in spite of all that, the Crusaders slept soundly. Completely undisturbed by the racket outside.

KA-BLAM!

As more lightning flashed outside, the shadowy silhouette of a pony suddenly appeared in the clubhouse. The floor creaked as it silently tip-hooved through the darkness of the clubhouse towards the table and the jar Alex slept in, trying not to wake up the sleeping fillies on the floor.

KA-BLAM!

Another flash of lightning filled the room as the shadowy figure was now only a few steps away from the jar and just seconds away from claiming the prize inside.

“Hng…”

The figure froze. Something else began to move in the dark.

“Off! Huh? What the-”

CRASH!

There was a loud crash and gust of wind was felt all throughout the room. Applebloom woke up with a start and quickly reached for her flashlight.

CLICK!

“Hold it right thar.”

“Applebloom!?” Sweetie Belle raised her hooves as Applebloom aimed her flashlight at her.

“Caught ya red-hoofed didn’t Ah? Ah figured somepony would pull somethin’ like this, but you?”

“It’s not what you think Applebloom! I only woke up to go to the bathroom!”

The noise stirred Scootaloo from her sleep. “What’s going on?” Scootaloo rubbed her eyes and then noticed the slingshot. “Applebloom? Sweetie Belle? What’s happening?”

“Sweetie Belle was tryin’ to make off with Alex n’ get her cutiemark befur us!”

“WHAT?” Sweetie Belle exclaimed. “That’s not true! I was going to the bathroom!”

“A likely story Sweetie Belle! Ah ain’t buyin’ it! Admit it! Ya were goin’ to take him to Rarity so that ya could earn ya cutiemark.”

“No!”

Scootaloo narrowed her eyes. “Why you… Let’s tie her up!”

KA-BLAM!

Applebloom and Scootaloo tackled Sweetie Belle and tied her to a chair. “There! That’ll hold ya ‘til mornin’.”

“Is this how friends treat eachother?” cried Sweetie Belle. “I’m innocent!”

“Quiet piggy or else we’ll put an apple in yer mouth!” Applebloom pulled Scootaloo in to a private huddle. “We can’t trust her Scootaloo. We’re gonna have to stand guard n’ make sure she ain’t gettin’ loose.”

“Good idea Applebloom! You sleep while I take the first watch.”

“Alright!” Applebloom was about to trot over to her sleeping bag when a thought suddenly crossed her mind. She turned around and narrowed her eyes at Scootaloo. “Nice try.”

“Huh?”

“So that’s yer game huh? It almost worked, but Ah ain’t that stupid!”

“What are you talking about Applebloom?”

“Don’t play dumb! Ya’ll take first watch n’ when Ah’m not lookin’… POW! And then ya’ make off with Alex to get yer cutiemark!”

“WHAT?!”

“Ya ain’t foolin’ me Scootaloo. Ah know ya’ll would do anythin’ fer Rainbow Dash.” Applebloom reached for the gavel on their podium. “We’ll it ain’t gonna happen sister! Ya ain’t gonna get tha drop on me!”

“That’s crazy! You’re talking crazy Applebloom! I’m going to tell Applejack!”

“Sweetie Belle? Can ya’ll tell Scootaloo what we do with squealers?”

“I don’t know Applebloom. Is it worse than not letting ponies use the bathroom?”

Scootaloo suddenly rushed towards the jar. Applebloom dropped the gavel and immediately threw herself at Scootaloo, tackling her to the ground.

“Oh no ya don’t!”

“He’s going to Rainbow Dash, Applebloom. And you’re not going to stop me! Let me go!”

“No! He’s goin’ to Applejack!”

The two fillies started wrestling around in the clubhouse. Sweetie Belle could do nothing but sit and watch helplessly as her two best friends fought on the floor. Their fighting caused the jar on the table to jump around.

“GIRLS! GIRLS!!! STOP THAT!” She then began to whisper. “I mean… Stop that! You’ll wake up Alex!”

*****

KA-BLAM!

Back at Applejack’s farm, all of the Mane Six rested comfortably on their pillows and enjoying some fresh warm cocoa. Everypony seemed to have a good time, expect for Rarity who couldn’t help but glance out at the nasty weather outside.

“It’s really coming down… I’m getting a bit worried for the girls and Alexander.”

“Ah’m pretty sure they’re fine Rarity. They might be young but them girls are quite good at takin’ care of themselves. Ain’t that right Pinkie?” She glanced at Pinkie who was facing away and seemed to be muttering something while searching her mane. “Pinkie?”

“Yes?” Pinkie turned around with her one hoof in her mane still rummaging around.

“Don’t ya agree that the girls and Alex are perfectly alright?”

“They sure are! ” said Pinkie while still searching for something in her mane.

“What’cha doin’ Pinkie?”

“Now where is..?” She pulled out a red herring. “Nope! That’s not it.” She searched some more and finally found what she was looking for. It was a large cup labeled ‘#1 Party Pony’. “There we go! Bring on the cacao!” Applejack just rolled her eyes. “Wonder where Rainbow Dash is..?”

“Still…” Rarity continued. “I really wish we could make sure…”

Seeing how worried she looked, Applejack pondered for a moment and called out to her brother. “Hey Big Mac! Could ya’ll get in here a minute?” It didn’t take long for Big Mac to arrive. “Rarity is a wee bit worried ‘bout the girls. Could ya’ll be so kind as to go n’ check on ‘em?”

Big Mac looked outside and a faint sigh escaped him as he wasn’t too thrilled with going out in the rain. “Eeyup.” He put on his yellow raincoat, big boots and headed out towards the Crusader’s clubhouse. Rarity watched him as he left.

“I do hope the girls are okay.” She noticed Twilight as she trotted up next to her. “I shouldn’t have agreed to this. That clubhouse is probably drafty. Sweetie Belle could get a cold.”

Twilight was more focused on the weather outside. “It’s strange…” She muttered to herself. “I don’t remember reading there was a storm scheduled for tonight…”

*****

As Big Mac slowly approached the club house, he could faintly hear loud commotions emitting from it. Trotting closer to get a better view through one of the windows, he saw Applebloom and Scootaloo scuffle and tumble around inside. There was a strong gust of wind and a lightning bolt struck down at the roof of the club house, knocking off some tiles.

KA-BLAM!

He calmly went back to the farmhouse.

*****

The sound of Big Mac returning caught Applejack’s ears and approached him as he entered the room, dripping wet.

“Well? Everythin’ alright with the girls?”

“Eeyup.”

*****

Back at the clubhouse, both Applebloom and Scootaloo were still going at it. They wrestled violently on the floor, each one trying to overpower the other. Sweetie Belle however wrestled with a problem of her own.

“Aren’t you girls finished yet!” She crossed her legs tightly and clenched her teeth. “I’m going to burst here!”

Scootaloo finally managed to pin down Applebloom. Applebloom gritted her teeth as she struggled in vain to get her off. “You’ve lost Applebloom! Surrender now and I’ll let you go! Just let me leave with Alex!”

“N- Never!”

Using all her strength, Applebloom managed to slip her hind legs beneath Scootaloo and kick her away. She sent her flying through the air and landing on top of the table. The sudden weight of Scootaloo caused the legs beneath the table to break and inadvertently sent Alex’s jar flying off the table, sail through the air and out the nearest window.

“NO!!!”

CRASH!

All three fillies paled as the horrible sound of shattered glass filled the air outside.

“Ouch!”

“ALEX!!!”

KA-BLAM!

Applebloom and Scootaloo nearly burst the door off its hinges as they quickly stormed out and down the boardwalk. “Hang on Alex! We’re coming!”

“Ah can’t believe this happened again!”

They ran to where the jar had supposedly landed, only to grind to a sudden halt as they were met with an unexpected surprise.

“Uh... What hit me..?”

“Rainbow Dash!?” exclaimed Scootaloo with surprise. “What are you doing out here?”

An equally surprised Rainbow Dash froze up for a brief moment as the two fillies approached her. “Oh! Hey Scoots!” Rainbow laughed nervously while painfully rubbing her head. “Nothing! I… I was just-”

“There ya are Rainbow! We’ve been lookin’ all over the house fer ya!” Everypony turned and saw Applejack, Rarity and the rest of the Mane Six, minus Pinkie, emerging from the bushes nearby.

“A- Applejack?” Rainbow stuttered.

KA-BLAM!

“Big Mac told me ya’ll were out here.”

“I thought it was strange that there would be an unscheduled storm tonight.” said Twilight. “And since you’re a member of the Weather Patrol, that only left me to deduce that this was your idea.”

Rainbow gulped and smiled sheepishly. “Ahehe… Twilight… I can explain…”

“This whole storm was part of some dumb ploy to steal Alex away from the Crusaders, wasn’t it?”

The two fillies gasped.

“I…”

KA-BLAM!

“What nerve!” exclaimed Rarity angrily. “How could you?”

“Of all tha low down…!” Applejack glared at her. “Have ya no shame?”

KA-BLAM!

“Applejack, I…”

“Before you say anything Rainbow, could you please stop the weather? All that lightning is really annoying.”

Rainbow Dash sighed. “You heard her guys!” Above them were a small group of pegasi, busily shifting the clouds around and kicking them to make rain and lightning. “Pack it up!”

“What about the front row seats you promised us?” asked one of the pegasi.

“Just go!” Rainbow yelled. The pegasi group shrugged but did what she said. They packed up the clouds and flew them away, leaving a bright and clear night sky. “Sorry guys…”

After shaking themselves dry, Twilight approached Rainbow Dash. “I’m not going to ask why you did it, but I’m curious as to why you thought a storm would help at all?”

Rainbow scratched her head and confessed. “I figured they probably wouldn’t hear me when I snuck in. It would’ve worked too, but somepony woke up before I could reach Lexy, so I had to pull out. I spent nearly an hour waiting in the rain so they would go back to sleep again.” She then glanced down at Scootaloo who couldn’t believe what she was hearing. “I’m sorry kid…”

“Well… At least we got here befur ya did anythin’ more stupid.-” Applejack suddenly noticed the shards of glass on the ground behind the fillies. “What is that? Applebloom, why is there glass behind-” She then noticed the tears in her and Scootaloo’s eyes. “Applebloom? What’s wrong?”

“Applejack… Sniff! Alex… Ah… We…”

Applejack suddenly went pale and her pupils shrank as she realized what had happened. “Girls… Is that..?” Everypony saw it too and gasped. Even Rainbow Dash was utterly mortified.

“By Celestia… What have you girls done!?” exclaimed Twilight.

“It was an accident Twilight!” said Scootaloo. “I-”

“It was mah fault!” said Applebloom.

“No Applebloom! It was mine!”

“No! Ah thaught one of us was gonna sneak away with Alex and give ‘im to one of ya guys!”

“We had a fight and Alex was thrown out the window!”

Twilight quickly rushed past them and stopped over the remains, her hoof trembling as she reached for the blanket to pull it away, dreading the worst. Applebloom and Scootaloo looked away and sought comfort from Applejack and Rainbow Dash, afraid to see the damage they had done.
As the blanket was pulled away, Twilight gasped. The girls cringed and braced themselves for the bad news.

“He… He’s not here!”

“What?” Applebloom and Scootaloo broke away from the two mares and pranced up next to Twilight. And sure enough, there was nothing but glass and a destroyed toy bed. Alex himself was nowhere to be found.

“But… But he was in there when we went to sleep. What happened to-”

“Everypony spread out! Search everywhere! If Alex is still here, we have to find him!” Twilight then looked at the girls. “I’m very disappointed in you! I shouldn’t have trusted you girls to take care of Alex. Now he’s gone and possibly seriously hurt!”

“Hi everypony!” Everypony turned and saw Pinkie Pie arriving at the scene, in her usual bouncy and cheerful demeanor. “The rain finally stopped. So what’s up?.”

“Pinkie! Alex is gone!” Applejack yelled.

“What?”

“Help us look for him Pinkie!” said Twilight. “He could be seriously hurt!”

Pinkie just laughed, causing everypony to look at her curiously. “He’s not gone silly!” she said with a big smile. “He’s not hurt either!”

“What do you mean? Where’s-”

Pinkie suddenly reached inside her mane and pulled something out. Everypony’s eyes widened and jaws dropped when she showed them what it was. “Hi!” It waved at them “Missed me?”

“ALEX!?!”

“ALEX!!!” Applebloom and Scootaloo immediately rushed over, their eyes streaming down their cheeks with tears of joy at the sight of him. “Yer alive! YER ALIVE! But… But how? We thaught ya were in the jar!”

“Yeah Pinkie…” Alex smirked. “Tell them how that happened.”

“Well…” Pinkie blushed. “It’s kind of a funny story. You see…”

~~*~~

Flashback…

“Want me to kiss you goodnight, Alex?”

“What? No! I don’t want a kiss! Just leave me alone!”

“Goodnight Alex! Sleep tight!” Pinkie pressed her large head inside the jar and puckered her lips to kiss Alex.

“PINKIE!!!”

SMOOCH!

“Pinkie?” Applejack called out from outside. “Hurry up already! Granny is makin’ cocoa and if ya’ don’t, it’ll be all gone!”

‘Cocoa?’

SLURP!

Pinkie quickly pulled her head out the jar. “COCOA?!?”

Pinkie zoomed out of the clubhouse, passing everypony as if they were standing still. She ran clean across the orchard and burst into the Apple Family home.

“COCOA!!!” she muffled, higher this time. “Cocoa! Where’s the cocoa?”

“Almost ready Pinkie dear.” Granny Smith called out from the kitchen. “Keep yer shoes on. Jus’ addin’ tha last few ingredients.”

“O’boy! O’boy!” Pinkie cheered as she bounced around the living room. As she did, she suddenly felt something moving in her mouth. She stopped dead in her tracks and stuck out her tongue. She then saw the tiny little figure glaring back at her. “Oh boy…”

~~*~~

“So before I had a cocoa, I had myself an O’Boy first!”

Everypony just looked deadpanned at her while cricket noises were heard. “O’boy..?”

“Like I said. It was a funny story! Squee!”

“Not one part of that was funny…” Alex grumbled.

Pinkie Pie just laughed “At least I got to know what you taste like.” She then leaned over to Rainbow dash. “And by the way Rainbow Dash,” she whispered. “…he tastes awful.”

“HEY!” Rainbow and Alex yelled.

“I was going to put him back, but I didn’t want you all to think that I had stolen him. So I hid him in my mane. But by then it was starting to rain and I didn’t want Alex to get wet.”

“You didn’t have a problem getting me wet earlier..." Alex muttered and cringed at the thought.

“Wait… You mean to tell me you had Lexy this whole time?” asked Rainbow Dash with surprise and annoyance.

“Yup!”

“And all my effort out here was all for nothing?”

“Yup!”

“This… This is so unfair!”

“Yup!”

“Alex?” Twilight asked. “If you were in Pinkie’s mane this whole time, why didn’t you show yourself or call out to us?”

“Hey! You try yelling with your mouth full of horse hair!” Alex then blushed. “And… I couldn’t get out because I was… Cough! Lost…”

“LOST?!?”

“I couldn’t find my way out! It just went on and on…”

Twilight just blinked. She made a mental note to one day ask him in full detail about Pinkie’s mane. For now, she decided to let it be. “Well, the important thing is that you’re safe and sound.”

“And so are we.”

Everypony turned and saw to their surprise both Luna and Celestia.

“Princess Celestia? Princess Luna? What are you doing here?”

“We just stopped by to say hi.” said Celestia. “And to make sure that Alex was being well taken care of.”

“Judging by what we just heard however, it would seem that he hasn’t.” said Luna with a disapproving frown. Both Applebloom and Scootaloo hung their heads in shame as Celestia approached them with a scornful look in her eyes.

“I hope you girls have learned a lesson from all of this?” Celestia regarded them with a serious look. “You are fortunate that unforeseen circumstances had a part to play in all this.”

“We have princess! We’re really sorry we let you down.”

Celestia face soon changed to that of a warm smile of forgiveness. “While I am disappointed, I forgive you my little ponies. You meant no harm.”

“We only wanted to help the ponies we cared about and get cutiemarks for it.”

Celestia cocked an eyebrow. “Really? It sounded more like somepony was telling you what to do with false promises and empty rewards against your better judgement.”

Applebloom and Scootaloo silently glanced at eachother and blushed with embarrassment.

“Listen girls. You don’t get cutiemarks for doing what other ponies want you to do. You get them by discovering your true talents and finding your destiny.”

“And whatever your talent and destiny is, it will come to you all in due time.” said Twilight as she joined in. “Just be yourselves and don’t let ponies talk you into doing something you don’t want to.”

“Does that include Alex as well, Twilight?” asked Celestia.

“Uh…” Twilight just realized what she had just said.

“It would seem that the Crusaders aren’t the only ponies here who has learned something today.”

Twilight blushed. She slowly trotted over to Alex and Pinkie, looking at with him with heavy regret in her eyes. “Alex… I… I’m so sorry! I didn’t mean…” She glanced back at her friends and saw the sadness and guilt in their eyes. “We didn’t mean to…”

“It’s okay Twilight.” said Alex. “I forgive you. I just hope the next human that comes along doesn’t get the same treatment like I did.”

Twilight giggled. “I promise that won’t ever happen again.”

“Does that mean you don’t hate us?” asked Fluttershy with a hopeful look in her eyes.

“I don’t hate you Fluttershy. I don’t hate any of you.” Alex reassured. “I’m a bit grumpy and annoyed, but I don’t hate you.”

The rest of Mane Six drew a great sigh of relief. They knew they had acted pretty silly and done stupid things. They were now just so glad to be forgiven for it.

“Alex?” Alex glanced down and saw Applebloom approach. “Ah know ya probably hate us fer all this. But would ya please come and be a part of our Show n’ Tell project fer school? Ah promise we’ll not put ya in a jar or anythin’ eva again.” She nervously scraped the ground with her hoof. “An’ if ya don’t mind, we would also like to be yer friends.”

“Please?” pleaded Scootaloo as she too approached. “You can help us find our talents and earn our cutiemarks. We’ll even make you an honorary Crusader!”

Alex took minute to think about it. “Gee… I don’t know…”

“Aw! Come on Alex! Don’t be a party pooper now!” said Pinkie.

“Alright.” Alex laughed. “I’m teasing. I would love to help you girls out with your project and your crusading. But only on two conditions...” The girls listened carefully. “The first is that you turn me back to my normal self…”

“And the second?”

“THAT YOU’LL STOP SHOUTING EVERY TIME YOU HAVE CUTIEMARK IDEA!!”

“Ow…” said Applebloom as she painfully rubbed her ear.

“Sheesh! Alright! You don’t have to yell…” Scootaloo frowned, trying to ignore the bleeding sensation in her ears.

Celestia smiled even more. “I’m proud of you my little Crusaders. It would seem that everything is now going to work out just fine between you and Alex.”

“Not yet…”said Applebloom as she turned towards her sister. Scootaloo did the same with Rainbow. “Sis… Ah ain’t givin’ ya Alex. He’s gonna help us with our Show n’ Tell project fer school.”

“Applebloom…” said Applejack. “Whatever ya do, I is fine by me. We’ll make by with what we have. Ya don’t need to worry ‘bout that. Ah’m sorry fer puttin’ that pressure on ya. We were wrong to put our needs ahead of yers.”

“Thanks Sis.” Applebloom hugged her.

“I’m sorry Rainbow Dash. You can’t have him either. Sorry…” Rainbow Dash just blinked. “I guess you probably don’t like me now, huh?” Scootaloo looked sadly away. Rainbow said nothing at first, but then she smiled and placed her hoof gently around Scootaloo shoulders.

“Aw kid! I like you more than ever! What kind of pony would I be if I didn’t? Besides, I didn’t want Lexy anyway…”

“Liar!” Alex shouted. Rainbow shot him a glare.

“Ahehe… I also hope you guys can forgive me for what I tried to do earlier.”

Scootaloo smiled wryly. “Give us front row seats to your show and we might consider it!” she teased. Rainbow Dash just laughed and hugged her.

“Aw…” Having watched this rather tender moment, Rarity decided she had to follow said example. “I suppose I can find some other way to impress the nobles at Canterlot… Sweetie Belle, I… Wait! Where’s Sweetie Belle?” Everypony soon noticed that Sweetie Belle was not among them.

“Up here Rarity!” yelled Sweetie Belle from inside the clubhouse. “Is Alex okay?”

“Sweetie Belle? Why are you still up there? Are you alright?”

“Well… I’m kinda tied up at the moment.” replied Sweetie Belle rather sheepishly.

“We’re SO sorry Sweetie Belle!” yelled Scootaloo. “We’ll be right up and untie you!”

“No rush girls… I… I kinda don’t need to go the bathroom anymore…” Applebloom and Scootaloo wondered what she meant by that when it suddenly dawned on them and they cringed. “Does anypony have a mop?”

EW..!

*****

A few days later, at the Ponyville Schoolhouse…

The sound of the school bell rang as it signaled the end of another day of school. The doors opened wide as the little equine students rushed home to eat and play. The last ponies to exit the school were the Cutiemark Crusaders. While all the other students beamed with joy over school being over, the girls however looked incredibly disappointed.

“Seriously? Still no cutiemark?” Scootaloo lamented. “And after all that work we did…”

“Ah guess we jus’ weren’t meant to be Human Experts after all…”

“At least we got good grades…” said Sweetie Belle cheerfully.

“And you girls deserve it.” They turned around and saw Cheerilee standing behind them. “That was really an impressive presentation you girls had. Very detailed and well written. I also want to thank you Mr. Alex and your participation. It was a real pleasure having you here in my classroom.”

“No problem. I had a wonderful time.” Alex smiled. He had been quite the attention magnet. All the fillies and colts in the classroom didn’t take their eyes off him. Not even for a second.
They were all excited and many were very eager to talk with him in person. Two fillies however didn’t seem that keen on meeting him and seemed to have grudge against the Crusaders for having upstaged their presentation, which Alex had to admit wasn’t really that good since all they had to show was themselves and brag about how important they were.
There was one crazy moment when one mint green filly approached him and wanted to touch his hands. The filly was later revealed to be a full-grown mare wearing a rather terrible disguise and was quickly escorted out.

“Well, I better be off. It was nice meeting you Mr. Alex! Have a nice day Crusaders! See you tomorrow!”

“Bye Miss Cheerilee!”

“You girls have a nice teacher.” Alex smiled proudly. “You girls did really great in there! Applejack, Rarity and Rainbow Dash will be proud of you for those grades.”

“Well… We couldn’t have done it without you.” Scootaloo blushed before looking a bit sad. “Didn’t give us cutiemarks though…”

Alex just smiled some more. “Don’t worry about it. You’ll get them eventually. There’s always something you girls haven’t tried yet.”

“Speakin’ of somethin’, do ya wanna come and hang out later?” asked Applebloom. “We’ve got another great idea on how we can get our cutiemarks this time.”

“Really?” said Alex mildly surprised . “Sure. What is it this time?”

*****

“Cutiemark Crusaders; Football Team! YAY!”

‘At least they’re not yelling so much anymore.’ Alex thought with relief as he stood hunched over facing the three fillies, all of them wearing body protection and helmet gears. Alex’s gear however was rather uncomfortable as it was normally designed for a pony. ‘How did I get talked into this..?’

The Crusaders had gotten the idea of Football from Alex’s stories of his time in Highschool as a Running Back. They were excited with the idea and immediately decided to have go at it.
Alex of course was going to be the Running Back, while the Crusaders were going be the Quaterbacks trying to tackle him.

“We’re gonna get our cutiemarks fer sure this time!” said Applebloom with a smirk.

“Yeah!” added Scootaloo as she boasted with self-confidence.

Sweetie Belle however didn’t say anything. She wasn’t too comfortable wearing something so bulky.

“Alright girls! Listen up! Just take it easy and don’t get too carried away! This is only for fun.”

“We’ll be alright Alex!” said Scootaloo. “Just don’t make it too easy on us!”

“Yeah! Next to Bungee Jumpin’, this here is gonna be a snap!” Applebloom squealed.

‘Bungee Jumping??? Are these fillies for real?!?’

“Um… girls?” Sweetie Belle tried to get her friends’ attention. “I don’t I-”

“Good luck everypony!” shouted Twilight as she sat on the sidelines taking notes. She had gotten the wind on Alex and the Crusaders Football idea and was eager to learn more about it. Equestria had its share of ball games, but any game of alien origin was interesting nonetheless. She was curious to know just how different it was. “Just be careful!”

“We will Twilight!” shouted Scootaloo. “Alex doesn’t stand a chance!”

‘We’ll just see about that…’ Normally three against one was unfair. But since he was bigger, it was as fair as it could be.

“Alright! Everypony ready?” Alex grabbed the ball and got ready. The Crusaders too got ready and waited for Alex’s signal. Twilight took a brief moment to chew on a Haydog while she looked on with excitement.

“HIKE!”

The Crusaders charged at Alex, but he easily avoided them. Realizing they had missed him, Applebloom skidded to a sudden halt to turn around, only to have her two friends collide with her from behind. Before they could free themselves from their little pileup, Alex had taken his sweet time and made a touchdown.

“Come on Crusaders!” yelled Scootaloo as they all got back up. “We’re not going to give up that easily!”

“Aw… Can’t we?” pleaded Sweetie Belle. “This is hard and my body is already aching!”

“Push it aside Sweetie Belle! Now let’s go get him!” Scootaloo and Applebloom rushed to take their positions again. Sweetie Belle groaned but followed after.

After an hour and 64 attempts, the Crusaders did their best to tackle Alex who continued to dodge them with ease. He jumped over a charging Applebloom. He ducked and avoided a flying Scootaloo and he calmly treaded past a trembling Sweetie Belle, who just sat there shivering with her eyes covered.
With Alex’s score pilling up, Scootaloo was starting to get impatient.

“Okay! That’s it! No more Miss Nice Crusader! It’s all or nothing! If we don’t tackle him soon, we’ll never get our cutiemarks. I’ll take the left! Applebloom! Take the right! Sweetie Belle! Take the middle.”

“Can’t I just take the rear?”

Scootaloo pushed her muzzle against Sweetie Belle and narrowed her eyes. “You want that cutiemark, don’t you?” Sweetie Belle gulped and nodded. “Take the middle!!”

The Crusaders took their positions and got ready. Alex grinned and got ready to make another touchdown.

“HIKE!”

The Crusaders charged forward towards Alex and split up. They were going to flank him from three directions. Sweetie Belle gulped as Alex charged straight at her.

“Don’t chicken out Sweetie Belle! Tackle him! Tackle him!” But Sweetie Belle suddenly stopped and covered her head as Alex leaped over and passed her.
“Oh for Celestia’s sake!” Scootaloo groaned. “After him! Get him!” Scootaloo and Applebloom raced after him. “Come one Sweetie Belle! Hurry up!” Sweetie Belle hesitated but soon followed suit.

The Crusaders charged as fast as their tiny legs could muster and were slowly gaining up on him. “We’ve almost got him! Come on!”

Before they reach him, Alex had already reached the goal and scored yet another point. “AHA! Touchdown! Go Alex! Go Alex! G- OFF!”

CRASH!

Alex was suddenly tackled to the ground by all the Crusaders, who were unable to stop in time. They tumbled and rolled uncontrollably across the grass, straight into a nearby thorn bush.

“GAH!”

“YIPES!”

“OUCH!”

“EEK!”

Twilight gasped and galloped over as fast as she could. “Alex! Girls! Are you all alright?”

“We’re fine Twilight.” Applebloom grunted as she pulled herself out of the bush, completely covered in thorns. “A bit thorny though but fine…”

“Fine? We’re far from fine!” Scootaloo huffed as she pulled herself out of the bush and showed them her flank. “We still didn’t get our cutiemarks!”

“My mane! Rarity will kill me!” wailed Sweetie Belle as she popped out of the bush, her mane completely covered in thorns.

“Yet another thing we’re not good at.” Scootaloo sighed. “All that work for nothing…”

“Ah guess Football just isn’t our destiny…” Applebloom sighed as well. “We’re neva gonna get our cutiemarks…”

“Well…” Twilight smiled. “At least you’re all still in one piece.”

“That’s right girls.” said Alex as he slowly got up. “Man! You guys can really tackle!” he laughed.

Scootaloo blushed. “Sorry about that…”

“It’s alright.” Alex grinned. “Even if you still didn’t get your cutiemarks, that still doesn’t mean you’re losers. I mean, look at me. I’m a human with minor talents and I make my own destiny. You don’t see me with -”

RIP!

Alex froze at the ripping sound on his pants and noticed a great big hole on the one side of his rear. “Aw great…. I’ve torn my pants!”

Seeing his pants torn made Twilight and the Crusaders laugh. Even Alex had to admit it was rather funny. But then something caught Twilight’s eye and she stopped laughing. She gasped. “I don’t believe it…”

Her action caught the attention of the Crusaders. Applebloom was the first to approach. “Twilight? What’s-” She then eyed the same thing Twilight was seeing. Her pupils shrank and she was utterly speechless. She was joined by her friends who also saw the same thing.

“Is… Is that..?” Scootaloo’s wings dropped. Sweetie Belle didn’t say anything but instead just held her breath.

“What? Is there something on my pants?”

“It’s… not on your pants Alex…”

Alex started to get worried. Was he injured? Was it serious? Curious to find out, Alex let down his pants just slightly to get a better look and his eyes widened.
“Wha… What is this?!” He half expected there to be a bruise or a cut, but instead it was something else entirely. “Twilight..?”

“I didn’t think… no, BELIEVE this was possible!” She inspected it more closely. She then started to giggle. “Well Alex… It would seem congratulations are in order. You just earned yourself a cutiemark.”

CLANG!

The jaws of Applebloom and Scootaloo literally fell. Sweetie Belle still said nothing. Her face contorted and she seemed to turn red.

“A c- cutiemark..?” Alex was just stunned beyond belief and his left eye was twitching. He never thought this was possible. He dreamed of getting a tattoo one day but not like this!

“And if I’m not mistaking,…” Twilight rubbed her chin as she studied it more closely. “…it appears to be a-”

“OH! COME ON!!!”

THE END

Author's Notes:

At long last… The CMC ending is done!

FINALLY!

Phew! This is probably my toughest ending yet. And most likely NOT the best.

This was a real monster to write and it went through a lot of re-writes and re-editing before I eventually found something I felt happy with, all the while suffering from a mild Writer’s Block, during and after a long and eventful Christmas and New Year.

(Happy New Year by the way…)

I wanted to write an ending that put the Crusaders in a rather difficult position. I also tried to put as much comedy into the situation as I could without making it too dragged out and ridiculous, though I can’t shake the feeling that I might have failed a bit on that…
The biggest challenge was the pay off and how it all works out in the end. A bit quick and cheesy maybe, but mostly because I’ve been feeling a bit burned out.

I based the treehouse setting on an old episode of the Simpsons where Bart and his friends fight over a comic book.

Now there a three endings remaining and luckily they will not be as hard to write as this one was. Next ending is Pinkie!

I may have stumbled a lot along the way, so any suggestions and corrections are welcome.

Still, I hope this ending is easy to read and that it wasn’t a totally complete mess.

Pinkie Pie Wins

View Online

Chapter 17: The Winner is…

Somepony had succeeded in getting to him first before Twilight and the princesses’. Once they got a better view of the lucky pony, Celestia smiled and cleared her throat.

“The hunt is over! The winner is… PINKIE PIE!”

“Aaaaw…” the other ponies groaned with disappointment.

Pinkie Pie’s eyes were as wide as saucers, with her smile growing wider by the second with overwhelming joy. Alex, regaining consciousness, saw the grinning pink pony on top of him and he grimaced.

‘Oh crud…’

“YAY!!!”

Pinkie Pie happily wrapped her hooves around Alex even tighter and danced him around like a lifeless rag doll, nuzzling his cheeks. Alex was staring blankly into space, unable to do anything knowing that his life a human being was soon coming to an end.

“Congratulations Pinkie Pie!” said Celestia with a smile. The others quickly joined in and congratulated her for her victory, while hiding their disappointments greatly.

“Yeah… Congratulations Pinkie Pie.” Rainbow grumbled silently.

“THANK YOU DASHIE! THANK YOU EVERYPONY! WOHOOO~!” Pinkie cheered some more as she and Alex continued dancing around.
“I got you! I got you! Oh yeah! Yeah YEAH~! Now my party will come true! Oh yeah! Yeah! YEAH~!” she sang. Alex didn’t share Pinkie’s joy as he was still lost in his own state of mental despair. “I’m SO excited! Are you excited Alex? Because I can tell you that right now I’m REALLY excited!”
She then suddenly let go of him and turned to the others, reaching inside her mane and pulling out several invitation slips, all addressed to the ponies present. “Listen up everypony! You are all hereby invited to Sugarcube Corner to attend Alex’s ‘Good Bye Human Party’. Bring lots of welcoming gifts!”

“Since when did you have time to write invitation slips?” asked Twilight.

“My dear Twilight, you of all ponies must realize by now that when it comes to parties, I’m always prepared.”

“Wait…” Everypony’s attention was drawn to Scootaloo. “…If he’s leaving, why are we supposed to bring welcoming gifts?”

“Nevamind tha gifts!” yelled Applebloom suddenly with concern. “Why is Alex leavin’? Did ya’ll jus’ grab ‘im jus’ so that he could leave?”

“No silly filly!” Pinkie Pie giggled while playfully rubbing Applebloom’s mane. “I’m just throwing Alex a ‘Good-Bye Human’ party. The gifts are for his ‘Welcome New Pony’ party!” Everypony were confused, except for Twilight, Applejack, Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash.

“New pony..?!? What’cha talkin’ ‘bout, Pinkie?”

“She’s going to turn Alex into a pony…” said Twilight with a sigh.

Pinkie smiled. “Yup!”

“WHAT!?!”

“Really..?” uttered Celestia curiously. “So you’re really going to change Alex into a pony? Interesting… And here I thought you were just going to make him an ‘honorary pony’.” she rubbed her chin. “And just how are you planning on doing that?”

“With this!” Pinkie then pulled out the bottle she had in her mane. “It’s a ‘Pony Potion’.” She then pulled Alex close and nuzzled his cheek. “One drink from this and Alex will be part of our big happy family! Squee!”

“Get off!” said Alex suddenly as he pushed Pinkie away. “Who says I going to be happy? I’m not going to be happy! And I’m most certainly not going to be part of your big happy family!”

“Sure you will!” Pinkie smiled. “After all, you made a Pinkie Promise, remember? Back in chapter 4?”

“What?”

“Cue Flashback!”

Don’t tell me how to do my job.

~~*~~

Flashback…

“NO!!” Pinkie jumped up and placed her forelegs on his shoulders as she locked eyes with his. “You mustn’t go anywhere! Pinkie Promise that you won’t!”

“Pinkie Promise?” asked Alex confused.

“You know, a Pinkie Promise. Cross my heart, hope to fly! Stick a cupcake in my eye!” Pinkie pushed him against the stove of Sugarcube Corner. “Pinkie Promise that you’ll stay for the party!”

Alex gulped as Pinkie’s look turned very serious.

“Say it!”

“I Pinkie Promise! Cross my heart… hope to fly… Stick a cupcake in my… Gulp! eye..?”

“Super! You must never EVER break a Pinkie Promise! To break a Pinkie Promise, is to break a trust! And losing a friend’s trust is the fastest way to lose a friend! FOR-EVER!”

~~*~~

“See?” Pinkie grinned. Alex facepalmed and groaned loudly as he finally remembered. He only said that because she was scaring him. He never meant it to be taken seriously.

“Were we supposed to see something just now?” a rather confused-looking Rarity whispered to a rather tired-looking Twilight. “What was all that about?”

“It’s Pinkie Pie, Rarity… Don’t question it it…”

“You made a Pinkie Promise. This means you have to make due!” Pinkie smiled. ”And as everypony knows, breaking a Pinkie Promise is the fastest way to lose a friend! You wouldn’t want to lose me as a friend now, would you?”

Alex looked her and was quiet for a moment as he thought about it. “I see no problem in that…”

“Well, too bad! A Pinkie Promise is a Pinkie Promise!” Pinkie suddenly wrapped her tail around him and tied him up. “I’m going to give you a party even if it kills you!”

Alex gulped. “Hey wait! Stop! I don’t wanna go!”

Twilight turned to Celestia. “Princess? Don’t you have anything to say to this?”

“Indeed I have.” Celestia smiled. “We are going to attend Alex’s party.”

“WHAT!?!” cried Alex.

“But princess...!”

“Twilight, I’m certain that whatever Pinkie Pie has in mind, Alex will be fine. Pinkie is not the kind of pony who would harm anypony for no reason.” Everypony looked at one another with an uncertain look. They knew Pinkie better than anypony and couldn’t imagine anypony being comfortable around Pinkie once she had her mind set on something really bizarre.
“I trust you’ll have Alex ready before we arrive, Pinkie? I’m actually looking forward to this.”

“You bet! You heard the princess, Alex! Don’t be such a worrywart!” She tied Alex on her back and fastened him tightly on with her tail. “Now just sit back and enjoy the ride. We’ve got a party to get ready and we can’t be late! Yehaw~!” Tied down and unable to get off, Alex sat helplessly on her back Pinkie reared up and galloped back to Ponyville at full speed, disappearing in a thick cloud of dust.

Once the dust settled, the other ponies just kept staring after them with deadpanned expressions.

“Poor Alex… Looks like his numbah is up…” muttered Applejack while shaking her head.

“Alex..? A pony..?? Is she serious?” Rarity stuttered. She had a hard time swallowing this idea. “Surely Twillight, we’re not just going to stand by and allow this, are we?”

“She caught Alex, Rarity…” said Twilight. “There’s nothing we can do about that…”

“To be honest…” Rainbow Dash uttered. “…I’m actually curious to see how this is going to turn out.”

Twilight looked at her invitation and sighed. “Well… If we’re to attend, we better do it soon. According to this, the party is tonight.”

“Sheesh! She doesn’t waste time does she?” said Rainbow Dash.

“Come on girls. Let’s go.” Twilight led the way back to Ponyville. Only the princesses remained and watched them as they disappeared from view. Luna looked to her sister.

“I trust you know what you’re doing, sister?”

Celestia giggled. “Relax Luna. Let’s get back to Canterlot and get ourselves cleaned up and ready. Don’t want to be late for the festivities.” With a glow of her horn, both sisters vanished from view.

*****

Later that evening…

Light and music was emitting from Sugarcube Corner as Ponyville’s first ‘Good Bye Human Party’ was currently underway. Ponies all across town had been invited and were pouring through the bakery to partake in this curious event.
Inside there were tables covered with all manner of food, cakes, pies, cupcakes and beverages. Streamers and balloons of all manner of shapes and color completely littered the floor and walls of the bakery.
Pinkie Pie was busily zipping to, fro and about as she was serving all manner food and drink while tending to her guests and their needs, showing no signs of fatigue what so ever.

“How are you doing?” Pinkie asked a random pony mare before immediately switching over to another mare beside her. “Enjoying the party so far? How’s the family doing? Are you going to eat that…?”

DING!

Pinkie’s ears perked as the bell above the door chimed and two more mares entered the bakery.

“Bon Bon! Lyra!” Pinkie bounced over and greeted them. “Come on in! Glad you both could make it! There’s a table for you over there.” She pointed them towards an empty table with their names on it. “Just help yourselves to whatever you want.” she said as Bon Bon trotted past her over to the table. “We got lots of-”

“Sniff..! Sob..!”

Pinkie’s ears perked at the sound of crying and looked at Lyra, only now noticing that she was wearing a black mourning dress. “What’s with all the black Lyra? This is a ‘Good Bye Human’ party, not a funeral party. That’s next week.”

“Sob! Whatever you call it, it might as well be a funeral!” Lyra wailed. She blew her nose and trotted over to join Bon Bon. Pinkie just gave her a confused look.

On one wall hung a yellow banner labeled ‘Good Bye Human!’ in colorful letters, with Alex conveniently placed beneath it next to a table. He stared up at the words behind him and sighed. He couldn’t fathom that this was actually happening.
He then looked across the bakery and at all the ponies currently present. With this much excitement in the room, he could’ve easily sneaked away and no pony would notice. Of course he already attempted a few times, only to be constantly intercepted by Pinkie Pie each time. Her ‘Pinkie Sense’ was no joke.

It hadn’t been all bad though. All the ponies that had arrived had been really friendly to him, despite that little frightening ordeal in the park. Many apologized for that and asked him how he was doing. Some were even curious to know where he was going.
Pinkie had made every effort to make his little ‘ponyfication’ a surprise to everypony as much as possible. With the exception of her friends and the princesses, nopony else in Ponyville knew what this party was really all about.
Alex wanted to tell them, but found that rather difficult now that he was all bound and gagged. What really surprised him was that nopony seemed curious about that at all.

“Are you enjoying yourself Alex?” said Pinkie Pie as she suddenly popped up beside him.

“MMMPH! MPH! HMP!”

“I’m sorry, what was that?” Pinkie removed the gag from his mouth.

Alex, relieved to finally speak again, glared at her. “Oh! I’m having marvelous time Pinkie…” he answered sarcastically. “I’m just thrilled…”

“Well you should be!” Pinkie smiled. “It’s your ‘Good Bye Human’ Party! You should be excited! Just think… You’re just moments away from finally becoming part of the great and wonderful life that is Ponydom.”

“By becoming a pony..?”

Pinkie smiled. “Exactly! Squee!”

“Oh joy…” Alex stared down at his reflection on the empty plate in front of him, knowing it would probably be the last time he’d lay eyes on that handsome face ever again. “You’ll excuse me if I don’t share your excitement, especially after you bound me up like this.”

“Well you didn’t leave me much choice. You were complaining an awful lot…”

“And did you really have to put this ball and chain on my leg too?” He lifted his leg and sure enough there was a strong iron chain around it, connected to a large heavy metal ball next to him.

“Well… DUH! You keep sneaking away! How am I supposed to give you a ‘Good Bye Human’ Party if you’re not here?”

“Couldn’t we just make this simply a ‘Good Bye Human’ Party and just let me leave and never come back?”

“Silly Alex!” Pinkie playfully rubbed his hair. “If we did that, who would be the new pony for the ‘New Pony’ Party?” Pinkie smiled. “Trust me Alex. You’ll do perfectly fine. There’s no reason for you to be nervous.”

Alex just hung his head and groaned.

“Aw…” Seeing Alex this bad was hard for Pinkie. “I know just what’ll cheer you up!” She disappeared, only to return a second later with a cupcake. “Here! Eat up!” She lifted his head and shoved the cupcake in his mouth. Alex nearly chocked on the delicious cupcake but managed to work it down. “Better?”

“Thanks… I feel so much better now…” Alex said sarcastically while swallowing the last of the cupcake. While it didn’t brighten his mood one bit, he had to admit it was a rather delicious cupcake. One that he as a human would never experience again...

“Wonderful!” Pinkie chirped. “There’s plenty more where that came from.” She suddenly noticed that more guests had arrived. “Oh! More guests! Don’t go anywhere! I’ll be right back!” She put the gag back on and bounced away with Alex silently glaring daggers at her.

“Hi Pinkie!” said Twilight as Pinkie approached them.

“Twilight! Friends! You came!” Pinkie wrapped her hooves around Twilight and hugged her.

“Well we Cough! wouldn’t want to miss this for the world, now would we?” said Twilight, struggling to breathe before Pinkie finally released her. “Wow! You’ve certainly been busy. You must’ve invited the whole town.”

“Yup! Today is a very special day after all. I couldn’t let anypony miss out on Alex’s big day.”

Twilight looked passed Pinkie at Alex, seeing him all tied up and gaged. “Why is he all tied up like that? Isn’t that a bit too extreme?” She gave her a look of disappointment.

“Oh! Alex is just nervous.” replied Pinkie. “You wouldn’t believe how many times he tried to sneak away. He’s worse than Fluttershy! Remember the time I had to tie you down?”

“Yes…” Fluttershy blushed, remembering back when Pinkie was forced to tie her down for her own ‘New Pony’ Party. She was very shy and didn’t like being the center of attention back then.

“Believe me Twilight. Once he’s a pony, he’ll be all better.”

Twilight and her friends looked questionably at eachother. “Um… Pinkie? Could I have a look at that ‘Pony Potion’ you showed us?”

“Sure.” She rummaged through her mane. “Now where did I put it?” There were sounds of cans and all manner of junk rattling around in her mane, leading Twilight to wonder what else she stored in there. For the sake of her own sanity, she didn’t ask.
Pinkie eventually found what she was searching for and pulled out the small bottle. “Ah! Here it is!” She showed it to Twilight.

Twilight levitated it from her hoof and studied it more closely. She even opened it and sniffed at the contents. It had a surprisingly sweet aroma. “How did you make this again?”

“Zecora made it for me.” Pinkie grinned. “It’s made from a concentrated batch of Poison Joke, mixed with the ingredients from that book I borrowed and with a hint of something super awesome extra from me.”

Twilight and her friends eyed the bottle. “And what would that be?” Twilight asked curiously.

“Peppermint!” Pinkie smiled. Everyone just stared at her. “Oh! And of course, a little string of pony hair from me, which also tastes like peppermint! Squee!” Twilight and her friends just looked at eachother without saying a word.

“So when is this ‘super awesome’ event gonna start anyway?” asked Rainbow Dash.

“As soon as the special guests arrive. They should be here about-” There was a sound of royal trumpets as the doors opened and two very regal figures appeared.

“Princess Celestia! Princess Luna!” Twilight exclaimed surprised. Every pony in the bakery bowed as they cantered in. They were quickly motioned to carry on with the festivities as Twilight greeted them.

“Hello Twilight. It’s good to see you again. And thank you for the invitation Pinkie Pie. I must admit that both Luna and I are very curious.”

Pinkie Pie smiled as she bounced excitedly up and down. “Ooh, it’s going to be SO great! You’ll love it!” With the final guests having arrived, Pinkie then bounced up on a table and had everypony’s attention. “Alright everypony! Gather around! It’s time for the Mane Event! Giggle-Snort!” She then suddenly popped up beside Alex. She was now carrying a serving tray with two cups of juice.

“It’s time for the ‘Good-Bye Human’ Party to finally begin!”

Pinkie opened the bottle and poured its liquid into one of the cups. “Here you go Alex! Let me just remove this…” She placed the cup in front of him and removed his bonds. Once free, Alex quickly removed the gag and stood up.

“Finally!” he glared down at Pinkie. “Now look here you! I-” Alex’s words froze as Celestia and Luna approached them. Whatever flaming words he was about to spew out was quickly extinguished and he found himself sitting quietly down at the table.

“Mares and Gentlecolts! I like to thank all of you for coming!” said Pinkie. “Both Alex and I are overjoyed that you all could make it to his first ever ‘Good Bye Human’ Party!”

Alex shot Pinkie a hateful glare. He then stared into the cup, seeing the swirling, bubbling purple liquid mixed with both juice and potion. He gulped. He then looked at all the excited ponies in the room. At Celestia who looked just as curious and excited as the rest. He knew what they were all waiting for and that there was no way for him to argue himself out of this.

“Alright everypony. Take a cup of juice and be prepared to toast. We are now going to say good bye to Alex and soon welcome him back as a changed stallion!” Nearly all the pony guests now looked at eachother with mixed confusion and curiosity. Still, they all did as instructed and filled their cups with juice.

Alex’s hands were trembling as he raised his cup from the table. He was now moments away from being ponified. He could’ve easily just poured it to the flowers in the pot next to him while nopony was looking and just pretend to drink it, but Pinkie would easily notice it since it was blueberry juice.
No blue tongue would give him away. Not to mention the flowers would look rather ‘pony-ish’ if he did.

He was more concerned that the potion would probably poison him instead of changing him. Pinkie had repeatedly ensured him that the potion was harmless, but he was never 100% sure about that since she had never actually showed him what it could do.

‘This is it…’ Alex quietly lamented as he seemed to be out of options. I’m done for! Suddenly, Alex had an idea. It was a long shot, but there was no better chance than any.

With everypony distracted and Pinkie’s back momentarily turned, Alex took his chance and quickly switched the cups on the table, replacing his cup with Pinkie’s. He figured that if Pinkie believed the potion was a dud, she would probably give up this whole ‘pony’ idea and instead give him a regular party as a human. And if she somehow turned into more of a pony than she was now, maybe she would act more normal.
With the deed done, Alex grabbed Pinkie’s cup and raised it just as Pinkie turned around and grabbed his.

“A toast to Alex!” Pinkie cheered as she raised her cup high. Everypony in the bakery did the same. “A TOAST AND GOOD BYE!”

“GOOD BYE ALEX!”

Everypony cheered and drank up. Alex raised his cup and held it while watching as Pinkie downed the potion. Feeling really smug about himself, he downed Pinkie’s cup without concern.

“Congratulations Alex. Welcome to the herd!” Pinkie cheered as Alex finished his cup. Now they only had to wait for the potion to take effect. Everypony was deathly quiet as they waited with curious anticipation. Even the princesses’ were paying close attention.

“Uh… Pinkie..?” whispered Twilight. “Nothing seems to be happening.”

“Ssh~! Give it time.” whispered Pinkie.

Several minutes passed and still nothing happened. Soon there was muttering to be heard as ponies wondered what exactly they were waiting for.

“Still nothing is happening…” said Twilight.

“Huh… Maybe it was a dud?” replied Pinkie confused while scratching her head.

“Hah!” Alex suddenly let out a huge laugh, earning everypony’s attention. “Jokes on you! Seriously, all this talk about turning me into a pony… Pfft~!! Some potion… You really had me go-”

BANG!

Alex suddenly passed out and slammed his face on the table. All the ponies gasped and became concerned. “OMGOSH! WHAT HAPPENED?” yelled Twilight.

“Relax Twilight!” giggled Pinkie. “I knew he would try and weasel out, so I laced BOTH cups with the potion. It won’t affect me because I’m already a pony.”

“But he just passed out! He’s probably been poisoned! Quick! Call a doctor!” yelled Twilight. “Somepony pl-”

“Okay…!” There was a new wave of gasps as Alex suddenly sat back up as if nothing had happened. “What were we saying?”

Everypony, including Twilight looked both deadpanned and bewildered. “Uh… Well… You were about to say something about-”

POFF!

“…t- the potion..?” Twilight finished with wide eyes. Alex had suddenly sprouted pony ears.

“The potion! Of course! Now I remember!” laughed Alex, while sprouting a pony tail.

POFF!

“Boy Pinkie! You should’ve seen the look on your face!” Alex picked up the plate and viewed his face. “You really thought you were going to make me into a pony.” He put down the plate and gestured his hand across his face. “But as you can see I’m still human.”

POFF!

Everyone silently gasped as his face transformed into that of a pony stallion. “I mean, I’m sorry if I disappointed you-” As Alex rambled on, Fluttershy took a curious glance underneath the table and her eyes went wide as his legs, along with his pants, magically transformed into hind legs. How the clothes were affected she had no idea.

POFF!

“-but I guess there are some things you just can’t change.” He paused as he scratched the hair at the back of his head, moments before it completely turned into a complete stallion’s head with a mane.

POFF!

“Still, I have to admit I was a bit curious myself if this actually worked.”

POFF!

His height was reduced in size as his entire body was completely transformed. The only thing remaining now was his arms. Yet Alex was too caught up in his little speech to notice anything.

“But seeing as how it didn’t…” Alex stood up and leaned over the table while pointing his index finger at Pinkie. As he did, his one arm supporting him on the table was turned into a foreleg, complete with a hoof.

POFF!

“…I can point my HUMAN finger at you and say…”

POFF!

“HA! IN YOUR FACE! ” Alex exclaimed with a huge grin, only to soon notice that something wasn’t quite right. “Wait… What happened to my hand?”

Alex’s eyes widened as he noticed his arm. He then held up both arms. They weren’t arms anymore. He had forelegs! He had hooves! He felt his face and discovered he didn’t recognize any of his human features. He even glanced behind him and discovered he had a tail.

He quickly raised his plate and saw his reflection again. He was a pony! An earth-pony stallion! Complete with muzzle and everything. His coat was dark green, while his tail and mane retained its blond, yellow-streaked color.

“I… I’m…”

“Congratulations Alex!” shouted Pinkie. “This is now your official ‘New Pony’ Party!” She strapped a party hat on his head, stuffed a party whistle in his mouth and blew a horn as streamers and confetti was blasted into the air. As that happened, Pinkie then pulled a rope and the banner ‘GOOD-BYE HUMAN!’ was suddenly replaced with ‘WELCOME NEW PONY!’ The ponies all cheered, stomped and clopped their hooves in applause.

“WELCOME TO PONYVILLE NEW PONY!” Pinkie cheered.

As everypony in the bakery cheered and laughed heartedly, Alex just sat there staring into the plate and his reflection. He was utterly speechless.

*****

The party went on late into the night. Everypony was drinking, eating and having a marvelous time. While the events leading up to the party had been strange, it didn’t stop anypony from having a good time. After all, it was like every other ‘New Pony’ Party that Pinkie was well known for, and she never disappointed anypony.
Pinkie Pie of course was bursting with energy, much to the amazement of her friends. She was literally all over the place, inviting ponies to take part in various party games or to jump in on the dancefloor and break down. She couldn’t be any happier now that Alex…

“Hey! Where’s Alex? He’s missing out on all the fun.” said Rainbow Dash suddenly as she and everypony realized he was missing.

Applejack reached underneath her Stetson and scratched her head. “Ah don’t know Sugarcube. Last time Ah saw ‘im, he was right over thar by tha table. Wonder where he went. Hope he’s alright…”

After his transformation, Alex had been uneasily silent ever since Pinkie released him from his bonds. He barely acknowledged her or anypony as he was too fixated on his new features. Twilight got worried that he was suffering a mental breakdown and managed to convince Pinkie to leave him alone and only talk to him when he felt he was ready. However, being too caught up with the party, neither her nor anypony had seen him leave the table and venture upstairs.

Alex was busy regarding himself closely in a large mirror that he had found in the Cake’s bedroom. He looked at the strange pony staring back at him. He didn’t quite know what to feel. He was no longer human, trapped forever in the body of a pony.
A mixed sense of emotions coursed throughout his body, mostly confusion and sadness…

’Why..?’

“Alex?” His ears perked as he heard the concerned sound of Twilight behind him as she entered the bedroom. “I figured you’d be up here. Are you alright?”

“How did you know I was here?”

Twilight giggled sheepishly. “The first time Pinkie held a party for me, I fled upstairs too…” She joined him and stared at the reflections in the mirror. She could tell by the look on his face that he was not at all pleased by the results. “Are you okay..?”

“I’m a pony Twilight… I feel just peachy…” he replied sarcastically.

“I must admit Alex, you’re taking this awfully well considering…”

“Believe me Twilight, I would want nothing more than to pick up that chair in the corner and break something with it.” He sighed. “But I’m just too tired…” He then held up his hoof and stared at it. “…and I can’t pick up anything with these.”

“Alex… I know this must be difficult for you. But it doesn’t have to be this way. I can talk to Pinkie. Maybe-”

“Just forget about it Twilight. It doesn’t matter anymore. It’s done. I’m going to be a pony forever…” He lowered his head and trotted solemnly out of the room.

“Alex?”

Twilight followed him downstairs. Alex trotted slowly past every party guest, ignoring their smiles and compliments as he reached the front door of the bakery and opened them.

“Alex? Where are you going?”

“Please… I just... I can’t be here…” Before Twilight could say anything else, Alex had already left. She looked out after him and saw slowly disappear down the street. She couldn’t help but feeling really sad for him.

“Hey Twilight!” Pinkie Pie suddenly appeared beside Twilight with a fake ponytail in her mouth. “Where’s Alex? We are about to start the ‘Pin the Tail on the Pony’ game!”

“Pinkie… Alex… He’s not here.”

“What?” exclaimed Pinkie, spitting the tail out of her mouth.

“He’s outside. He wanted to be alone.”

“But… This is his party! Why would he not be here?”

“Pinkie…” Twilight sighed. “…You turned Alex into a pony.”

“So?”

“Did you ever think to consider Alex’s feelings about this? You’ve practically robbed him of his life. He’s confused and… and I think he’s really hurting now.”

“Hurt?! Why would he feel hurt? I made him a pony!”

“How’s that any better..?”

“Don’t you get it? Now that he’s a pony, nopony will chase him around anymore or look at him all funny! Now he can have lots of friends instead of ponies being mean to him.”

“You didn’t have to turn him into a pony for that.”

“Oh? Should I instead just let him be human so you could experiment on him?!” she jabbed her hoof accusingly at Twilight. Her sudden outburst caused the party to grind to a complete stop and everypony’s eyes were now on Pinkie and Twilight.

“Pinkie! I-”

“And what about the rest of you?” Pinkie directed her attention to her friends as they gathered around them. She started with Applejack and Fluttershy. “You wanted to make money off him! You wanted to keep him a zoo!” Fluttershy squeaked and hid behind Applejack. Pinkie then focused on Rarity the Crusaders. “You wanted to make him a pet! You three wanted to use him to get cutiemarks!”

“Ah don’t see what’s wrong ‘bout that…” said Applebloom as she shared a confused look among her friends.

Pinkie then eyed Rainbow, her eyes narrowed. “And you…” Rainbow gulped. “You wanted to make him tiny so you could eat him!”

“WHAT?!??” yelled Rainbow Dash in shock. “No I didn’t! That was an accident! That YOU caused! I wanted him to be my toy!”

“GASP!” Everypony in the bakery gasped in shock.

“Oh come on! Like you all didn’t have an idea like that?” Everypony just shook their heads. Some rubbed the back of their heads while glancing away, muttering in denial of ever having such a horrid idea. Rainbow sighed.

“Pinkie Pie…” Pinkie’s ears perked as Celestia and Luna trotted over. “You are right… We are all guilty of wanting Alex for our selfish needs. Even I…” She closed her eyes and lowered her head, causing everypony to gasp with more shock.

“GASP!”

“And I as well…” admitted Luna as she too closed her eyes and lowered her head in shame. Oddly enough, nopony seemed that shocked about it. A surprised Luna felt somewhat insulted by this lack of reaction.

Celestia then spoke again. “…But you Pinkie, have been just as selfish.”

“What? But… But I helped him. I made it so he didn’t have to run anymore. So that he would feel more at home.”

“By taking away that which he valued the most..? How would you feel if somepony took away your identity?”

“I… I would…” Pinkie’s eyes widened as realization sank in. She never fully realized it until now how important ones identity was. Alex was now trapped in a body he didn’t belong to and was now hurting in ways Pinkie could never imagine. “I… I never meant to hurt him…”

“I think you should go and talk to him Pinkie. Perhaps if you explain to him why you did this, he might forgive you.” said Twilight.

“I’ll do more than that! Hold this!” Eyes filled with determination, Pinkie pinned the fake tail on Twilight’s face and bolted out the door to find Alex.

Twilight glanced after her as she disappeared from view. “I hope she finds him…” She turned to her friends. “And I really hope she can make this al...” She suddenly noticed that they were all just quietly gawking at her. They were utterly shocked and some of them even cringed at the sight of her. “...-right..? What? What’s wrong?”

Applejack was the first one to speak. “Land Sakes Twi… Doesn’t that hurt?”

“Doesn't ‘what’ hurt?”

Applejack pointed and Twilight finally noticed the nail of the fake tail deeply imbedded in her snout.

“GAAAAAHHHH!!!”

*****

Alex trotted slowly down the streets of Ponyville, his mind in deep sad thoughts about this new life he had been thrown into. He glanced towards a large window and beheld his bleak reflection. Seeing his pony form made him sigh even more as he slowly continued onward. He could hardly understand how it all had come to this...

“ALEX!”

Alex’s ears perked as he heard the familiar voice of Pinkie Pie running up and stopping beside him. “There you are! I’ve looked everywhere! I was so worried! Listen I-“

“Pinkie. If you don’t mind, I’d like to say something first if that’s okay?” Pinkie bit her lip and listened. “Look… I know you wanted to make me into a pony, and you did… But… what now? What am I going to do now?” He showed her his hooves. “How am I supposed to live my life with these things? Being a human is all I’ve ever known. A pony’s life is not for me…”

Pinkie wanted to say something but kept quiet.

“Just look at me Pinkie… I was once a normal guy. A normal HUMAN guy with a normal life and normal problems! Now I’m a cute, green horse-”

“Pony…” Pinkie corrected before shutting up again.

“Pony…” Alex sighed. “Look at me. Hooves… Mane… Tail… It doesn’t get any more awkward!”

“You got a cutiemark.”

“What?!?” Alex turned his head and looked. His eyes widened as sure enough a cutiemark had appeared on his flank. Both flanks actually. He studied them closely and frowned.
“THAT’S IT?? A PONY??? That’s my cutiemark? That’s my destiny? You can’t be serious!?” He sat down on his haunches and facehoofed. “Great… Just great! As if things couldn’t get any worse! It’s like some big cosmic joke.”

“Or lazy writing…” said Pinkie.

“What?”

“Alex… I thought you’d be happy…”

“HAPPY?!!” Alex growled. “I’m going to stay like this forever!!! How can I possibly be happy about this??! You ruined my life!!”

Pinkie’s mane suddenly deflated and her smile completely vanished. Seeing the anger in his eyes frightened her. Eventually she worked up the courage to say something. “Alex… I never wanted to ruin your life… The reason I made you a pony was not for some cruel sick joke. I… I just… I wanted to help you.”

“Help me?”

“I could tell from the moment I first saw you. You looked so alone and so out of place. I figured that if you were a pony, you wouldn’t feel so alone and afraid, and ponies would stop chasing you or looking at you all funny.”

“So… You changed me just so other ponies would accept me?”

“Yes… And for that I am so sorry! As a friend I should’ve thought more about your feelings and not what everypony else would feel. I shouldn’t have forced this change upon you.”
Pinkie suddenly rummaged through her mane and pulled out a new bottle. “Here! I was saving it for when the party was over but I guess you need it now...”

“What’s this?”

“It’s the antidote. I asked Zecora to make it just in case this didn’t work out.” She took Alex’s hoof and placed the bottle in his grasp.

“Antidote..? But I thought…”

“That you’d be a pony forever? I may be a wild party pony, but I’m not a twisted pony. Look, I’m really REALLY sorry for all the trouble I’ve caused you and I hope you’ll forgive me, or at least still consider me a friend. If you want to be human again, I’m not going to stop you.”

Alex was speechless. He stared at the bottle. He wouldn’t need to live his life as a pony after all. He could return to being a human again. He then glanced up at Pinkie and saw the sadness in her eyes.

“Pinkie..?” Pinkie glanced at Alex and was surprised to see him handing the antidote back to her. Her biggest surprise however was that Alex was still a pony. “Thanks for telling me.”

“But… Why are you still a pony? Don’t you want to be human again?”

“Believe me Pinkie, I would LOVE to be human again. I was just so afraid of never seeing my hands again I couldn’t think straight.” He gently placed a hoof on her shoulder. “Now that I know there’s an antidote, I’m not afraid anymore. Although I think it would’ve been easier just telling me from the beginning.”

A weak smile appeared on Pinkie’s face. “I know… I just wanted it to be a surprise...”

Alex giggled. “Well, you definitely succeeded in that. Besides, after all the hard work you did putting all this and the party together, I guess I can humor you a bit and stay like this for tonight.” he smiled. “And to be honest, it doesn’t really feel that bad.”

“It… It doesn’t..?”

“Well… The hooves may take some time to get used to… And I’m not really sure I feel too comfortable wearing nothing… But other than that, I feel just fine. So I suppose I can give it a shot... After all, I did Pinkie Promise right? And nopony ever breaks a Pinkie Promise…” he winked.

Pinkie smiled as her mane suddenly inflated back to its cotton candy look.

“There they are!”

Both Alex and Pinkie turned their heads and saw Celestia approach them with Luna, Twilight and the rest trailing behind. “Alex? Pinkie? We were getting worried. Is everything alright?”

“Yes princess.” replied Pinkie while bowing.

“We’re alright.” replied Alex as he bowed as well. Being a pony now, Alex felt a bit nervous as Celestia now towered over him.

“Please Alex, you don’t need to bow. You have nothing to be nervous about.” Celestia calmly trotted over to him, regarding his pony form. “Are you certain you’re alright? I can only imagine that becoming a pony must be really traumatizing for you. If you like, I can undo this right now.”

“No need princess.” said Alex with a reassuring smile. “Pinkie showed me the antidote. I can go back to human whenever I want.”

“So… Why are you still a pony?”

“I figured I’d give this ‘pony’ thing a try. I feel alright and I’m a little better now after talking with Pinkie.”

Celestia smiled. “That’s wonderful to hear. I’m glad to see you’re feeling better.” She then eyed Pinkie. “…But I trust that you Pinkie have learned a valuable lesson from all this?”

“I sure have princess!” smiled Pinkie as she threw her arm around Alex and hugged him. “I’ve learned to never again force change upon anypony. Just because they look different and have trouble fitting in, you should help them by supporting them and be their friend regardless of looks.” Alex returned her hug.
“Everybody is a pony underneath, just as everypony is a body underneath! Wait… Did that come out right?”

Celestia smiled. “A fine lesson learned. I’m proud of you Pinkie.”

“Alex..?” Alex let go of Pinkie as Twilight and her friends approached. He was curious as to why Twilight was now wearing a large band-aid on her muzzle.

“Twilight? What happened to you?”

“Oh this?” Twilight rubbed her muzzle, wincing slightly. “It’s nothing. Just… Just a little party accident…” She shot Pinkie an angry glare, to which the pink pony just looked away and whistled nonchalant.
“Listen...” Twilight smiled nervously. “We’re all happy to see that you’re okay. And… And we’re sorry for everything we put you through. I really hope you can forgive us.”

Alex looked to Pinkie. Pinkie didn’t say anything but her smile said it all. Alex scratched the back of his head. “It’s okay. I forgive you, I guess…”

“I’m happy that you all become friends.” said Celestia. “Now are you sure you’ll still be okay like this, Alex? You can still become human, right?”

“I’ll be okay.” Alex smiled. “And you know what, your Highness? I honestly think this could be an interesting experience for me. And as long as Pinkie still has the antidote, I’ve got no worries about staying a pony forev-”

Suddenly, a mint green blur zoomed past everypony.

“THE ANTIDOTE!?! WHERE-???”

“THIS IS A HUMAN POTION?!?” Everypony looked and saw Lyra standing there with the antidote in her hooves. “HANDS! HERE I COME!”

“HEY! THAT’S FOR ALEX! GET BACK HERE!” yelled Pinkie as she and Alex galloped after her. Everypony just gawked for a moment before bursting into laughing.

*****

Five months later…

Time went on as usual. Alex had been well accepted into Ponyville. All over town, ponies greeted him and treated him like he was a regular pony citizen of Equestria. Every once in a while Alex would use the Pony Potion and traverse the town as an actual pony just for fun.
Alex would trot down the streets of Ponyville and greet everypony in this form. The ponies in town were well aware of his pony form and didn’t mind it at all. During his first weeks Alex was curious to know which form the Ponyvillians preferred the most.
The results were mixed. Some ponies preferred him as a pony, while other liked him better as a human. In either case however, all agreed that Alex was fine the way he was, whether it was pony or human.

Alex rose from his bed at the sound of his alarm clock as new bright morning graced over Ponyville, ready to face the new day. His first order of business like every morning was looking himself in the mirror and greeting the human face staring back at him.

“Hello there handsome!” he chuckled. To think, that five months ago he was afraid he would never again look upon that familiar face again. He was glad things turned out the way it did.

DING-DONG~!

The sound of his doorbell rang and Alex walked towards the window to see who it was.

Pinkie Pie hummed cheerfully as she stood waiting outside Alex’s house. Her ears perked as the sound of a window opening caught her attention and she looked up to see him sticking his head out.

“Yes..?” Alex glanced down at the pink Earth-Pony. “Oh! Hi Pinkie Pie! What’s up?”

“You are!” Pinkie laughed. Alex laughed as well. He had to admit he walked right into that one. “Actually, I wanted to see if you would join me and the girls for a picnic? It’ll be so much fun!” She reached down and showed him a picnic basket.

“I’d love to! Just wait just a sec, and I’ll be right down.” Alex disappeared back inside and closed the window. Pinkie remained outside and hummed to herself as she waited. It didn’t take long before the door opened and a green pony trotted out. “Alright Pinkie! I’m ready!”

Pinkie smiled. “You’re going as a unicorn today? That’s great! Dashie and I had a bet. She figured you’d go as a pegasus today.”

Alex laughed. “And you?”

“A unicorn.” she smiled.

“Of course.” Alex rolled his eyes. This betting game was something Pinkie and the girls had done for a while…

*****

Five months ago…

Alex’s ‘New Pony’ Party was in full swing, and even more so after he had returned more cheerful now than before. Even Pinkie’s friends were enjoying themselves and were happy to see that he was feeling better.
Everypony cheered and clapped their hooves as Pinkie and Alex were on the dancefloor, showing off some impressive dance moves. Or rather, Pinkie was showing off her moves. Alex’s moves consisted mostly of him falling over.

BAM!

“OOF!”

“You okay Alex?” asked Pinkie as she pulled him back up.

“I’m fine Pinkie.” Alex laughed. “Guess I must have two left hooves. Or is it four..?”

Pinkie giggled. “Don’t worry. You’ll get the hang of it.”

“Thanks.” Looking at Pinkie, he then found himself looking at the other ponies in the bakery. He suddenly had a thought. “Say Pinkie..? This Pony Potion of yours..?”

“Yes?”

“I was just wondering. Does it come with wings too..?”

*****

Alex had the crazy idea that he would spend the day as a different pony each time.

As an earth-pony, Alex has been helping Applejack on the farm and learning to master the art of apple tree-bucking. After five months of practice, he has so far managed with great pride to buck down more than ten apples in the whole orchard.
As a pegasus, Rainbow Dash offered to teach him how to fly and master the weather. He had gotten fairly good at it too. He had only crashed into four trees and one barn, and had only been electrocuted five times this past weekend.
As a unicorn, Alex spent most of his time learning the basics of unicorn magic with Twilight. He has gotten pretty good at that too and was now close to being just as good as Sweetie Belle.

It didn’t take long for Alex and Pinkie to reach the park and already they could see the rest of Mane Six setting up a picnic table while the Crusaders were busy playing around on the grass. They were soon spotted by Twilight and everypony happily waved at them. Rainbow however noticed Alex’s horn and groaned loudly.

“Alex?”

“Yeah Pinkie?”

“I was wondering… Do you want to come over and help out at Sugarcube Corner later today? Lyra’s birthday is coming up soon and I just know she’d appreciate a birthday cake made by you.”

“Sure! I’d love to help! Should I change first?”

“Nah! I’m sure she won’t mind a cake made by a unicorn…” Pinkie laughed.

THE END

Luna Wins

View Online

Chapter 17: The Winner is…

Somewhere beneath that pile of ponies was Alex, the weight of all of them having knocked the wind out him. Unsure of which of them had their magic locked on to Alex, the two monarchs and Twilight simultaneously lifted Alex off the ground, pushing away the ponies above him. As soon as he was in view, everyone’s eyes widened with more surprise and disbelief.

Nopony had grabbed Alex!

This only meant one thing. That one of them had claimed Alex ahead of the others. With controlled excitement, all three levitated Alex towards them.

“The hunt is over! The winner is… my sister. PRINCESS LUNA!”

“Aaaaw…” the other ponies groaned with disappointment.

“YAY!” cheered Pinkie Pie.

“I AM VICTORIOUS!! HUZZAH!” Luna cheered loudly as she danced around her prize while still keeping him levitated in the air. Alex gulped. Out of all the ponies (except from Celestia), he would’ve rather have been caught by them than Luna.

“Congratulations sister!” said Celestia. The other ponies joined in as well, trying to hide their disappointment in losing Alex to her.

“Thanks ye sister!” said Luna while gracefully bowing her head. “And thank ye all for this exciting hunt. Truly, this has been quite invigorating. It’s but a shame it had to end so soon.” Some mentally disagreed with her, thinking it could have gone on a bit more just so they could catch him. “Now, if thou would excuse us, young Alex and I have a very important engagement that needs to be immediately taken care of.”

“Engagement? What kind of engagement?” asked a curious Twilight. The others were curious as well, aside from Celestia who looked on quietly.

“Something I’ve been meaning to give him ever since he got here…” Without further explanation, Luna and Alex suddenly disappeared in a flash of light, leaving the others slightly confused.

“Now what was that all about?” asked Rainbow while scratching her head.

“Princess Celestia?” Twilight looked to her mentor.

Celestia was quiet for a moment before earning Twilight her attention. “Don’t worry my little ponies.” she said with a reassuring smile. “I’m certain that whatever she has in mind for him, she’ll take good care of him.” She looked in the direction of Canterlot and a faint look of concern appeared on her face.
‘Lulu… I hope you know what you’re doing…’

*****

Alex suddenly found himself back in Canterlot with Luna. He was quick to recognize his surroundings as they were back in the Royal Gardens, standing by a rather familiar pillar.

“Now Alex…” she gestured to the pillar. “If thou would be so kind…”

Alex sighed heavily as he looked at the pillar. He looked pleadingly back at Luna with big puppy-dog eyes, silently begging her not to go through with it. Luna however just urged him to climb the pillar and assume the position. Alex sighed again and solemnly climbed it.

“Excellent!” said Luna and began to charge her horn. “Now, if thou would just…”

“I DON’T WANT TO BE A STATUE!” Alex suddenly yelled, startling Luna. “Please… I beg you! Don’t do this! I’ll do anything you want, but please… Not this!” he sobbed.

Luna suddenly felt a lump in her throat. She saw the intense fear in his eyes. “Alex… I know thou ist afraid. But I promise thee, with all my heart, that thou shall be safe and unharmed. This is not some punishment or a sick, twisted sense of humor solely for my amusement. It’s protection. And a gift I wish to give thee.”

“A GIFT?!!” Alex dried his tears. “How is turning me to stone a gift?! What the Cockatrice did to me was hardly a gift.”

“This is nothing like the curse of the Cockatrice!” She cantered over closer and looked him in the eyes. “Look at me Alex and listen. I swear! I’m not going to harm thee! What I’m offering ye is something much more than what a lowly beast like the Cockatrice could ever offer.” She gently placed her hoof on his leg.
“Alex… I’m giving you my world.”

Alex couldn’t quite understand it, but something in her eyes seemed to tell him that she was being sincere. Looking further, he began to see things. Wondrous things, as if her eyes became dreamlike portals to the great vastness of space itself.
Still, he didn’t feel entirely convinced.

“I understand that thou have no reason to trust me, let alone forgive me for what I did and what I’m about to do. But once thou see for thyself the world I give thee, then perhaps thou would reconsider?”

Alex took a moment to carefully think about it. Once again, she seemed very sincere about this. Was this world she talked about real? As much as the thought intrigued him, the idea of him being stone to see this world wasn’t that inviting. He slowly kneeled down and grabbed Luna’s hoof and looked her carefully in the eyes. “Will it hurt..?”

“No.” Luna answered truthfully.

Alex let go of her hoof and, much to her relieved surprise, assumed his position. “It was this way, right?”

Luna smiled and charged her horn.

Alex gulped and closed his eyes. ‘I can’t believe I’m doing this…’

*****

Alex had his eyes closed the whole time as Luna cast her spell and everything around him suddenly got deathly quiet. He barely felt anything. He only heard a loud ‘Zap!’, felt a tingling sensation and then… nothing.
Daring to finally opening his eyes, Alex was met with a most peculiar sight.

“This… This is new…”

The Royal Garden was gone. Alex was now standing in complete nothingness. Everywhere he looked there was only white. It was like standing in a dimension where time and space didn’t exist. For some strange reason it reminded him of that movie about some matrix. Even Luna was nowhere to be seen.

“Luna..?”

Alex looked himself over. He didn’t find any visible marks of any kind and felt fine. Was he stone? Or did Luna take pity on him the last second and he was just simply zapped into another dimension of some kind? Whichever it was, it didn’t really brighten the situation. Wherever he was, he was now trapped in a world where there was nothing but a great void of white all around him, stretching as far as the eye could see. He was completely alone.

“What I wouldn’t give to see some guy in the distance shouting compliments at me…” he sighed.

“Why settle for some guy when thou hast me?” Alex was startled to suddenly see Luna standing right beside him and smiling. “And I’m definitely not going to be standing far away.” she giggled.

“Princess Luna…? What is this place? I thought you were going to turn me to stone.”

“I did.” answered Luna. “Thou is still in the garden. I’m visiting ye through thy dream.”

“Dream?” Alex blinked with confusion. He again looked around at the empty void. This was a dream?

“Hm… I expected your dream to be more… ‘imaginative’ than this.” said Luna rather unimpressed as she too beheld the white void.

“This is really a dream? But I feel wide awake.”

“A small side-effect of the spell.” said Luna. “Because thou art now petrified, thy sub-consciousness has thrown itself into a forced dream state. The line between dream and reality is mixed, fooling the senses into believing thou art awake when in reality thou art dreaming.” Alex looked more confused. He then pinched his hand.

“Ouch! Hey! You’re right. I felt that, but I didn’t wake up.”

Luna giggled. “While in a dream, thou can’t really feel pain. Thou merely imagined it and your mind reacted to it as if it was real.”

Alex kept looking at his hand. “Creepy…”

“So what’s with all this dull white scenery?” She gestured to their surroundings. “Thou know ye can dream up something better this, right?”

“I… I can?”

“Of course! It’s thy dream.”

Alex blinked before realization finally sunk in. This WAS his dream. The only reason there was nothing but an empty void now was because his mind was momentarily blank. Alex stepped a bit away from Luna and closed his eyes. Using all of his concentration, he dreamt of one thing. The easiest thing he could ever dream of…

Opening his eyes, Alex and Luna suddenly found themselves floating freely and surrounded by the great vastness of outer space. “Holy… It worked!” Alex shouted. He couldn’t believe it. Even if it was a dream, it looked and felt so real. The only thing that said otherwise was the fact that they could breathe. Luna just smiled.

“This… This is all me?” A small shooting star suddenly sailed past over them at that moment. Without really knowing why, Alex suddenly ‘willed’ it to change direction. It flew about and danced around them before finally touching down on his hand. He didn’t feel any pain from the intense little fireball, confirming that Luna was telling the truth and that he was in fact in complete control of this dream.

“It’s beautiful…” uttered Luna as she too gazed upon it.

“Yes… Yes it is.” Alex smiled and gently blew at it, sending it off on its journey through space. “So… This is my dream?”

Luna smiled. “Yes. This is your dream.” She looked out across the vast universe and extended her hoof. “This is thy universe. Here, thou art the master of thy own reality and I’m but the mere observer. Thou can do anything thy ever wanted and create fantastic wonders with the power of your own imagination just like thou would any dream. Try it. Think of the most beautiful thing thou knows and make it real.”

Alex closed his eyes again and concentrated. Holding out his hands, a myriad of stars from the universe were suddenly pulled into his hands and began to take shape. With one thing in mind, he managed to conjure up the most beautiful thing he knew.

“A… A cat?”

“What? Cats are beautiful.” Alex plainly said, patting it as it purred and nuzzled his chest..

“I don’t know… I assumed a human with thy artistic talent would imagine something a bit more… spectacular?”

“Hold on…” Alex used his imagination and to Luna’s sudden amazement, the cat’s body turned into a pop-tart and blasted off into space with a trail of rainbow behind it. It zoomed across space, zipped past and between them. It floated briefly before Luna, meowing before vanishing into deep space. “How’s that?” Luna was speechless. “Corny I know, but…”

“That… was… SPECTACULAR!!” exclaimed Luna loudly, her Canterlot Voice nearly sending him tumbling into space. “I mean…” Luna continued in a low voice. “That was amazing! I’ve never seen anything like that!”

Alex merely shrugged. To him that was practically nothing. He was amused by how easily entertained she was. “If you liked that, then you’ll love this!” Feeling in the zone, Alex reached out and actually grabbed the stars themselves. Collecting them, he then made them into a shape. Luna watched with great curiosity as Alex created a miniature star version of Luna herself. He then made it come alive and she watched as it spread its wings, leaving Alex’s hands and flying up to Luna.

Luna was fascinated with the flawless details. The miniature Luna mimicked the actions of the original for a few moments before it began to fly around her in a playful fashion. It then soared high above them and exploded into a beautiful firework that showered over them like snow before vanishing..

“Alex…” Luna floated up next to him. “I was right about thee. From the moment I first saw thee, I knew.” She then unexpectedly gestured him to get on her back. “Climb on.”

Alex blinked. “You… you want me to ride you? Even after all that I-” Luna hushed him and snickered.

“That’s in the past. Please. Thou hast my permission.” She patiently waited until he eventually found the courage to mount her. With Alex secure on her back, Luna spread her wings and began to soar through space with great speed. Alex held on tight as they flew through space. As he did, he felt the softness of her coat against his skin and it was unlike anything he had felt before. It felt cool and yet so incredibly warm. He felt the compulsion to hug her.
As he hugged her, he then started to feel that Luna was suddenly getting bigger. She went from being big as Celestia to suddenly becoming larger than normal. And this was not his doing.

“Wha-? Luna? What’s going on?”

“Alex… Do you trust me?”

Luna’s voice got louder the bigger she got. Alex just looked at her rather unsure. “Why? What’s going to happen?”

“Please Alex. Do you trust me?”

“I don’t understand.”

Suddenly, she dived. Alex quickly lost his grip and tumbled aimlessly through space before he managed to stabilize himself. Looking around, he realized he had lost sight of Luna.

“LUNA?”

“Alex?”

Alex jumped as the soft yet now massively booming voice of Luna called out from the vastness of the universe. Alex looked around but he couldn’t see her.

“Luna? Where are you?”

“I’m here Alex.”

Alex looked behind him and was startled by the sudden appearance of a large eye looking at him. He quickly distanced himself away as the eye suddenly became two eyes. They in turn distanced themselves from Alex and he was rendered completely speechless with awe. Luna was a titan! Almost as big as the whole universe. Compared to her he was but a tiny insignificant ant. Her long blue dark mane flowed magically in the empty vacuum of space and seemed to go on for eternity. Her body looked translucent and was covered in stars. Alex was breath taken by her majestic figure.

“Art thou alright?”

“I-I’M FINE LUNA!” Alex yelled. “ CAN… CAN YOU HEAR ME? WHY ARE YOU SO BIG?!”

Luna giggled.

“You don’t need to shout. I can hear you quite well.”

“Sorry…” Alex blushed sheepishly and scratched his head. “So… What’s going on? Why are you so big?”

Instead of replying, Luna suddenly leaned closer. Alex got nervous but was still in awe over how beautiful she looked as she regarded him with those large, emerald eyes of hers.

“Alex… What I’m about to do, do not be afraid. Just relax and trust me. I promise that everything will be fine.”

“Luna..? Wha-”

“Please! Do you trust me?”

Alex saw the plea in her eyes but still felt confused and uncertain. So far she had been true to her word, but now she was being more enigmatic than ever. What was she planning?

He swallowed nervously and clenched his fist as he made his decision. “I… I trust you.”

Luna smiled and slowly withdrew herself from him. Then she closed her eyes, tilting her head back slightly and her horn suddenly began to glow intensely with magic. Then she leaned towards him again, this time opening her mouth wide.

“LUNA?!”

Before he could fully grasp what was happening, Alex suddenly found himself floating inside Luna’s mouth. He heard a rumbling sound and watched with horror as her jaws suddenly snapped shut behind him.

“LUNA!”

Alex panicked. He began to breathe erratically as the darkness began to surround him. There was a loud humming sound and he was suddenly jerked forward into the darkness, traveling at great speed. He felt as he was being pulled by some invisible force and was for some reason unable to stop.
It seemed to go on for hours but it only lasted a few short seconds. He then caught glimpse of a small light in the great darkness before him. His speed now intensified and the light began to grow bigger and brighter the closer he got. It almost looked like a star.

“LUNA!!!”

Alex closed his eyes and braced himself as he was just seconds away from crashing into it. Then everything went dark…

BOOM!

*****

‘GAH!’ Alex exclaimed with a fright as he opened his eyes. ‘What happened?!! Luna!?! Where are you! Did you just..?’ Alex gasped. ‘Wait… Am I outside?’

For reasons he couldn’t quite understand, he was now suddenly back in the Royal Gardens of Canterlot. But something wasn’t right. While he could see, for some reason he could not move.

‘Why can’t I move? I’m outside but I can’t move! What’s going on?’

What made things even more bizarre, was seeing the statue in front of him.

‘But… But that’s me!’ Alex gawked. ‘Why is there a statue of me? Seriously! What is going on?!’ He then regarded the statue more closely ‘Hm… I look good...’

“Thou sure do...” He was startled as he suddenly heard the voice of Luna. But he couldn’t see her and was still unable to turn his head.

‘Luna? Where are you? What happened? Why am I outside? Why is there a statue of me? Why can't I move? And… Did you ‘eat’ me just a few moments ago?’

Luna giggled. “Well… Yes and no... I merely transferred thee into my subconscious.”

‘Come again?’

“Simply put; I absorbed thy spirit into myself.”

There was an awkward moment of silence. ‘What are you saying? That you ‘swallowed my soul’ or something..?’

Luna blushed. “That would be the ‘crude’ term, but yes…”

‘Excuse me if I find that really hard to believe.’

“Probably best I show thee. Hold on…” Alex finally began to move, but it was not on his own accord and not in the direction he wanted. He watched as he ‘walked’ towards the nearest fountain. He looked into the fountain and saw…

“Hi.” The smiling reflection talked back.

‘Luna? Okay, now I’m more confused. What’s going on?’

“In answer to thy first questions; Thou art still stone. The statue thou art looking at is really thee.”

Realization slowly began to sink as it all began to make more sense to Alex. ‘So… If that statue is really me... Then the reason I’m outside is because..?’

Luna giggled. ‘Thou art seeing Equestria through my eyes. This is what I meant by giving thee my world. Whenever ye want, I can let ye see the wonders and beauty of Equestria through the safety of my eyes.’

‘Like a passenger on a plane tour! Neat… Wait! Are you actually- no, SERIOUSLY telling me that I’m literally inside your head?’ Luna nodded. ‘But if my mind is here…’ Alex suddenly got worried. ‘Does… Does that mean my body is-?’

‘NO!’ Luna quickly exclaimed. ‘Heavens, no! Thy body is unharmed! I merely removed thy consciousness from it, and I can easily put ye back if I wanted to.’

‘Phew! For a minute I… Wait… Your lips weren’t moving. Was that your thoughts I heard?’

Luna smiled. ‘Yes. That way I can communicate with thee without having somepony think I’m a lunatic.’

‘She traps me inside her head and is worried about being seen as a lunatic? That’s just looney!’ Alex suddenly realized something. ‘You… heard me just now didn’t you?’

‘Indeed I did.’ Luna replied with a frown, sounding somewhat offended by that remark. ’But I forgive thee.’ she smiled.

‘This is SO weird…’ Alex was utterly dumbstruck. He never expected to wind up inside a horses’ head, let alone a royal alicorn one. ‘Isn’t it a bit strange having a voice in your head?’

Luna giggled. ‘Believe me, I’m no stranger to that.’ Alex didn’t really know how to respond to that remark. Instead he decided to change to a more important subject.

‘You really scared me you know.’ Alex frowned. ‘You told me to trust you and then you pull this weird stunt…’

‘Forgive me.’ Luna shamefully lowered her head. ‘It was the only way to get ye inside my mind. Had I told how I was going to do it, thou would’ve never allowed me to do so.’

‘And you’re right! I wouldn’t! You scared me practically half to death! It felt like I was being swallowed by a nightmare!’ Alex yelled. Luna cringed at that and lowered her head more shamefully.
He eventually calmed down and sighed. ‘Okay… Well, I’m inside your head. What happens now?’

Luna quickly raised her head and suddenly smiled. ‘Thought thou would never ask! Now comes the good part.’ She suddenly spread her wings and immediately took to the sky. Alex, watching through Luna’s eyes, was utterly amazed as they ascended high above ground. While the action startled him at first, he quickly remembered where he was and relaxed as Luna soared between the high towers and spires of the royal castle, ascending higher and higher into the twilight sky until she reached the very clouds themselves.
Alex shouted as she suddenly dived, straight past the castle and down the cliff face of the mountain, straight towards the valley below. Alex was screaming as it looked like they were about to hit, only for Luna to suddenly pull up at the last second. They soared over the trees before finally slowing down and hovering.

‘Art thou okay Alex?’

‘I’m… I’m fine…’ Alex panted. ‘Man… What a rush…’

‘Sorry if I startled thee. Thou liked it?’

‘Liked it? That was incredible!’ Alex exclaimed.

Luna smiled. ‘And it gets better!’

She soared up into the skies towards the direction of Ponyville, giving Alex a birds-eye view over the town below. Alex couldn’t believe how high up they were. Luna increased her speed and gained more velocity. Through Luna’s eyes, Alex watched as she flew through the clouds, doing random aerial maneuvers and tricks along the way for his entertainment. This was way different than being inside of a plane.
She travelled over the Everfree Forest, across the vast mountains beyond, down the depths of what was known as Ghastly Gorge, to the beautiful desert plains and even as far as the borders of the Crystal mountains, with sparkling beauty of the Crystal Empire clearly itself seen in the distance.

All throughout the flight, Alex watched with silent amazement at the natural and magical wonders of this crazy and yet beautiful world of ponies.

*****

After much flying later, Luna touched down on a cloud looking out across Equestria. They both watched as Celestia’s sun slowly settled down in the west. ‘I have saved the best for last.’

Once the sun was gone, Luna reared back and summoned all of her magic as she raised the moon, ushering in the night. Alex was once again utterly amazed.

‘Incredible! You weren’t lying when you said you could raise the moon. I mean… I never said you were lying, I just hadn’t seen it before now…’

‘It’s alright. Thank you. I trust this experience has finally convinced thee that thou art safe in my care?’

Alex was suddenly silent.

‘Alex..?’

‘Luna… There is something I want to talk to you about... But not like this. Could you perhaps come in here so I can see you? Please..?’

Luna closed her eyes and with her magic transported herself and Alex back into Alex’s dream, now located deep inside her own subconscious. They both found themselves again separated and now in a completely different dream scenario. It had changed from a wondrous universe, to an endless windy field of grass.
Luna now saw the serious look in Alex’s eyes.

“What is wrong Alex? Wasn’t it to thy liking?”

“Don’t get me wrong your Highness. It was amazing! It was like a magic carpet ride! It’s just…” Alex sighed. “I’m sorry Luna. But I can’t accept this…”

“What?” Luna cantered over to him. “But why not? Thou can have everything ye need here. In here there is no pain or suffering. And thou hast me! I can show thee lands thou hast never dreamed of. Creatures thy world has never witnessed.” She then looked out across the field of grass. “Thou even hast thy own world where ye can create whatever ye want. Think of all the fun and grand adventures we would have together. Why wouldn’t ye want this?”

“That’s all well and good but…” Alex sighed. “I guess I have to show you…” Using his imagination, Alex slowly shaped the dream around them and turned the grassy plains into a dark but beautiful forest. It was nighttime. The moon was high in the sky, with the sound of an owl hooting somewhere among the trees. Beside them was a dark pond covered in lily pads, with the moon reflecting over its still surface.

“What manner of place is this?”

“This is an image of my world.”

“Your world..?”

“I’m going to show you something now. Promise me you won’t interfere no matter what.”

“I don’t understand. Why are we in a forest? What-”

Luna’s ears twitched as she heard a gurgling noise. Suddenly, the head a dark, moss-like creature emerged from the dark pond, causing ripples to form around it and disturb the previously calm water. Luna recoiled at its monstrous visage as it opened its eyes, which glowed with a haunting yellow color as it scouted its surroundings, clearly unaware of their presence.

“What manner of beast is that?”

“It’s called a Water Spirit.”

“A… Water Spirit..?”

“More commonly known as a troll...”

“A troll?!” Luna was familiar with trolls. They lived in dark caverns and caves below the deep mountains to the far north. While slow and dimwitted, they were always considered a threat if nopony was too careful. “How can there be trolls in thy world?!? I thought thy world had no magic!”

“And we don’t. At least, not like that. In my world trolls are a myth, but in the ancient days however, people believed them to be real.”

“I still don’t understand… Why art thou showing me this?”

Luna watched closely as the Water Spirit swam towards the edge of the pond. It stopped just a few short strokes from the edge, its body still submerged and concealing its grotesque visage. Its eyes suddenly glowed brighter and Luna was nearly blinded as an unearthly light covered the dark pond. Once it faded, the ghastly creature was now suddenly gone. Instead, there was a beautiful white mare in its place.

“Wha..?”

“Water Spirits were said to have the ability to change their appearance, anything from a beautiful jewel to a young maiden. The most popular one was that of a white horse.”

Luna was quite captivated by what she was seeing. Even though she knew what it was, she couldn’t help being stunned by how beautiful it now looked.
Suddenly, there was a new noise coming from behind them. They both turned their heads and saw a young boy walking through the woods towards the pond, alone. He was dirty and seemed lost and afraid.

“Poor child… Alex, what’s a boy doing this far out in the woods?” asked Luna.

The boy then spotted the white mare. The Water Spirit in turn spotted the boy and calmly trotted out of the water towards him. It stopped right in front of him. The boy seemed terrified at first until it gently nuzzled his cheeks, as if it was trying to comfort him. It seemed to be working as the boy now began to feel more relaxed and started to giggle.
The creature then turned around and gestured the boy to climb on its back.

Now Luna became concerned. “What is it doing? Alex?”

“Water Spirits were said to steal children that came too close to their ponds. It would either drown them or...”

Luna suddenly flared her wings and snarled at the creature. “Monster! Leave that boy alone!”

Her threats fell on deaf ears as the Water Spirit lowered itself just enough for the boy to get a good grip and lift himself up on its back. The creature suddenly reared and let out an unearthly neigh. The scared boy now clung to its mane for dear life as the Water Spirit charged towards Alex and Luna in the direction of the pond. Luna was about to intercept until it jumped straight over them, right into the dark and deepest part of the pond.

“NO!” Luna exclaimed and aimed her horn at the creature. Despite what Alex told her, Luna was about to save the boy until… In that one brief moment, both the creature and the boy suddenly changed. A now shocked Luna suddenly saw herself, with Alex on her back. She froze and watched as they both disappeared into the pond together.

SPLASH!

Bubbles rapidly rose from the pond for a while before they eventually ceased and everything went silent. The pond was still again, with no evidence of the creature, or the boy, remaining.

Luna just stood there and was shaking. “Wha… What did I just see?”

“What did you see?” asked Alex curious.

“I saw… I saw me. I was jumping in, with thou on my back! I was… stealing thee away…” Luna gasped and looked at him, her eyes visibly shaking. “Alex… Is this how thou see me? Am I the Water Spirit? Am I the horrible troll that stole thee away?”

“Well… Aren’t you?”

Luna paused and sadly looked away. “I… I suppose I am... I didn’t mean to do so. I only wanted a special friend I could talk to. To share dreams with. To play games with…” Tears started welling up in her eyes. She angrily gritted her teeth and stomped her hoof on the ground. “I never wanted to steal thee away! I just wanted to borrow thee!”

“To borrow usually implies to receive something temporarily and then expecting to return it.”

“And I would have! But the mirror broke! I thought thou could never return home! And when Celestia suddenly talked about using thee to get to thy world I-”

“You blamed yourself for inadvertently dooming me and my world, so you decided to protect me by drowning me in a pond of dreams and endless wonder?”

“I… I suppose that’s one way to look at it.”

“Luna… Your Highness… I understand what you are trying to do. But no matter how fun and exciting this all is, you can’t keep me here forever. You can’t keep me locked inside your head.”

“Thou would not survive if not…”

“You don’t know that. Please Luna. If you really want to be my friend, then give me my freedom. You asked me to trust you. Trust in me to survive in your world. If you still want to protect me, then do so when I sleep. Let me live.”

“Thou are… correct… I’ve been a foal to believe that I could keep thee here. I shall do as ye wish. I shall return thee to thy body in Canterlot and remove the stone spell. I only pray thou can forgive me acting so callously…”

“Thanks Luna…” said Alex with a gentle smile. “But before we do that, there’s but one thing I’ve wanted to do for a while ever since I meet you.”

“Of course! Just name it and-”

POP!

Luna’s ears perked at the strange sound and suddenly noticed that Alex holding what appeared to be a gun of some kind.

“You see Luna…” Alex slowly paced towards her. “Ever since I got here, I’ve had a pretty bad and crazy day thanks to you.” Luna suddenly had a bad feeling where this was going. “Since then, there’s something I’ve been itching to do but, being SUCH a ‘nice guy’, I haven’t had the heart and means to do it out there.”

POP!

Suddenly, a new gun materialized and levitated right in front of her.

POP! POP! POP! POP! POP!

It was joined by an untold assortment of guns and rifles that materialized out of thin air, including machineguns, bazookas and cannons, all locked, loaded and aimed towards her. And standing right where Alex stood, was now a large and frightening tank. Its top opened up and Alex popped out from inside the tank, smiling deviously down as the now surprised and uneasy Luna.

“And since everything that has happened to me has been entirely your fault, I would like to express my ‘gratitude’ for your actions.”

CLICK!

Luna’s eyes widened and her pupils shrank as the sound of loading guns echoed all around her. She gulped. “Um… Alex?”

“And since this is MY dream, I don’t have to worry about seriously hurting you for real. I’m definitively going to enjoy this.”

“Uh oh...”

*****

Back in Canterlot, Celestia, along with the Mane Six and the Crusaders, were standing in the Royal Gardens. They all (except Celestia) gazed with confusion and wonder at the newly erected statue of Alex as he stood tall and proud on the pillar.

“Such detail!” exclaimed Rarity with awe. “You can almost feel his actual presence!”

“Ah must admit, Alex sure looks pretty dashing.” said Applejack.

“Maybe not as dashing as me!” replied Rainbow. “But I have to agree he looks pretty cool.”

“I don’t understand Princess. Where’s is Luna and Alex? And why is there a statue of Alex in the Royal Gardens?”

Celestia sighed and glanced down at Twilight. “That’s a question only Luna can answer. I hope everything is-” Her ears perked as the faint sound of wings were heard. She looked up and soon enough spotted Luna as she flew in their direction for landing. “Ah! There she is! She’s-”
Celestia’s eyes widened. Luna looked like she had been through a war. Her mane was ruffled, her beautiful coat was covered in what appeared to be sot and… gunpowder? Even her eyes were utterly bloodshot.
“Heavens Luna! What in Equestria happened to you?” Celestia exclaimed as Luna landed before them. She coughed and rings of smoke flew out her mouth. “I’m fine Tia… Cough! Just a bad dream.” she giggled while slightly squinting her left eye. “Alex just… Cough! He had a few issues he needed to express… Squee!”

“I see…” Celestia began to have an idea on what was going on.

“Where is Alex anyway? And why is there a statue of him?” asked Twilight.

“He’s here.” said Luna as she shook her head, along with all the sot and gunpowder from her coat and straightened her mane. “Or rather… he’s in here.” She pointed to her head and smiled sheepishly.

“He’s… in your head?” asked Twilight confused. The rest of ponies looked at one another and were just as confused.

“Really?” Pinkie suddenly appeared in front of Luna and opened her mouth wide, peering inside and down her throat. “ALEX?! ALEX!! ARE YOU IN THERE??!” she shouted, her voice echoing throughout Luna’s body, causing her to vibrate.

“FOR EQUESTRIA’S SAKE PINKIE!” Luna shouted as she shoved Pinkie away in annoyance. “Thou need not shout!” She cleared her throat.

“…I’m right here.”

“Alex?” Twilight and he ponies suddenly heard the voice of Alex and looked around. “Is that you? Where are you?”

“Hi girls.”

The ponies now stared back at Luna with great bewilderment and surprise as she suddenly spoke to them in Alex’s voice. “Alex?”

“It’s me Twilight. I’m talking to you all through Luna here. Neat huh?”

“How did you get in there?” asked Pinkie. “Did Princess Luna gobble you up? GASP! The legends were true!!”

“Relax! She didn’t ‘eat’ me Pinkie. Not in the traditional sense anyway… It’s… somewhat complicated and I would much rather not tell you like this. Luna..? If you please..?”

“Certainly Alex...” With a flicker of her horn, a bright star suddenly sailed out of her mane, floated towards the statue and disappeared inside of it. Then, Luna’s horn glowed more intensely as the stone spell was removed and Alex was revived. He staggered wobbly and dizzily around for a bit and was caught by Celestia’s magic as he tumbled off the pillar. He was placed gently back on the ground.

Alex rubbed his head as his eyes focused and mind could think straight. “Wow… That was…”

“ALEX!!” Everypony rushed over and hugged him, tripping him over.

“Thank goodness yer alright!” exclaimed Applejack.

“That statue was you all along?” asked Rarity before accusingly looking back at Luna. “Luna! Whatever in the world possessed you to do this to poor Alexander?”

“More importantly; how and why was Alex inside you?” added Twilight.

“He’d better have been delicious!” Pinkie joined in. Everypony stared at her. “What? I haven’t tried. And Rainbow won’t tell me.”

“Pinkie! Shut up!” yelled Rainbow.

“Everypony! Please! Calm thyselves and hear me!” pleaded Luna.

“We’re listening…” said Celestia and everypony went quiet.

Luna sighed as she began to explain. “I was the one who brought Alex here! In my foalish desire for a friend of my own, I selfishly abducted him from his home and trapped him here unintentionally. Due to circumstances beyond my control, he wound up somewhere outside of Ponyville and beyond my sight.” She then glared accusingly at the ponies. “By the time I eventually found him, I witnessed the horrors and hardships ye all had put him through because of me.” A surge of guilt went through everypony as they realized what she meant and shamefully looked away. “So, I took it upon myself to seek him out and hide him from you all and Equestria, somewhere he would remain safe…”
Her eyes then softened and she lowered her head in shame. “But, as young Alex revealed to me, I’ve been just as much a monster as any of you. No matter how severe my mistake was, I can’t just sweep Alex under the rug and control his existence. He has to remain free, and I, as a princess of Equestria, have to take responsibility for my mistake and trust him to handle himself without restraints.” She trotted over to Alex and lifted him back up on his feet. “Alex… I know thou hast already said it, but I need to hear it again. Dost thou forgive me?”

Alex smiled. “Of course Luna... NOW I do.”

“Alex..?” Twilight timidly spoke. “I… We are very sorry for everything we put you through. Luna isn’t the only pony here who’s acted foalish. I hope you can forgive us for what we have done and that you’ll at least give us a chance to become your friends.”

“WE’RE SORRY!” said everypony in unison.

Alex, touched by their apologies, smiled and scratched the back of his head. “Shucks… I just can’t stay mad at you guys. I suppose I can forgive you too.” Everypony smiled and hugged him some more.

“I’m happy that everything worked out between you and Luna.” Celestia smiled at Alex. “But what are your plans now? I’m regretful to say that your way home has now been lost to you…”

Alex sighed and just shrugged. “I don’t know. I’ll think of something I guess…” Secretly, he was rather glad that his way home was closed. Whatever plan Celestia had in mind for his world, it was now out of her reach and he was now useless to her.

“But that will have to wait until tomorrow. It’s been a tiring day for young Alex here and he deserves a rest.” said Luna. She trotted over and wrapped her wing around his shoulder. “I’m personally going to make certain he gets a good night sleep.” She started to lead him towards the castle. “Come Alex. We have a room thou can sleep for tonight.”

“Thanks…” Alex yawned as he followed her.

“Indeed, this has been quite a day for us all.” added Celestia. She then looked to Twilight and her friends. “You are all welcome to spend the night here until tomorrow.”

“Really? Thanks princess!” said Twilight cheerfully. Everypony were gratefully as well and followed Celestia as she led them to their quarters.

Alex shot a quick glance back at the ponies and had a thought. “Luna? If it’s not too much to ask, I was wondering if you could do me a favor..?”

*****

The following morning, Alex and the ponies said their good-byes to the princesses and took the first train back to Ponyville. Everypony was thrilled and overjoyed that Luna had trusted to leave Alex in their care. They had all Pinkie Promised with all of their hearts and cupcakes to take good care of him and treat him as he was one of their own.
Alex had no real qualms in returning with them back to Ponyville, just as long as his new friends made certain that the Ponyvillians didn’t jump him the moment he got off the train.

With the exception of one mint-green unicorn, everypony kept their hooves off him and greeted him as a friend.

*****

“Hello? Is anypony there?”

Twilight was scared. It had been days since she and everypony returned back from Canterlot with Alex. Since then, everything had been pleasant and all had been forgiven.

The day today had been just your typical normal day where everything was peaceful. After spending a delightful day with Alex and her friends, Twilight had decided turned in early for the night. The last thing she remembered was reading a book on her bed while Spike was already fast asleep. Once done, she put it away, turned off the lights and closed her eyes.
Then suddenly, for reasons she couldn’t understand, she found herself deep in an unfamiliar and frightening forest, surrounded by dense fog and eerie noises. Lost and scared, Twilight had up until this moment been calling out for help and assistance to no avail.

“Hello? Please! Is there anypony? HELLO?!”

“Twilight! Over here!” Twilight’s ears perked as she finally heard the familiar voice of Applejack. She galloped towards the voice and soon saw her and the rest of her friends galloping towards her in the opposite direction, looking just as confused and worried as her.

“Girls?” Twilight exclaimed. “What’s going on? What’s happening? Where are we?”

“You don’t know?” asked Rainbow. “We kinda hoped you did. The last thing I remember is going to bed and then I woke up here.”

“Same here!” replied Applejack.

“I as well.” said Rarity.

“M- Me too…” said Fluttershy in a frightened tone.

“Ditto!” said Pinkie Pie.

“What in Equestria is all this, Twilight?” asked Applejack. “Is it some kind of nightmare?”

“If so, then we’re all having it at once.”

“But that’s impossible!” exclaimed Rainbow Dash. “How can we all have the same nightmare? And what happened to Princess Luna? Isn’t she supposed to protect us from nightmares?”

“You’re right Rainbow.” replied Twilight worried. “She is the Princess of the Night after all… What if something happened to…”

FLASH!

“Welcome my little ponies!” The surprised ponies quickly turned towards the familiar voice of Luna as she suddenly appeared in a flash before them. The ponies were even more surprised to see Alex sitting on her back.

“ALEX? LUNA?”

Twilight slowly approached them. “Luna? Thank goodness! We all thought something terrible had happened. What is all this? Why is Alex here? What’s going on?”

“Forgive me Twilight.” Luna smiled apologetically. “But I’ve brought ye all here because I made a promise to young Alex that I swore to keep. He has something to share with thee.”

Everypony looked to Alex. “And what’s that?” asked Twilight.

Alex smiled. “First, Let me start by saying; Welcome to my dream little ponies. And… TO YOUR WORST NIGHTMARE!” he laughed villainously as lightning cracked behind him.

Everypony just tilted their heads to the side in confusion.

“Worst nightmare?” muttered Twilight. “Alex… What are you talking about”

“It’s a little something I’d like to call; Alex gives Ponies their Comeuppance!”

Twilight and the ponies looked at one another even more confused. “Com… uppance..? I’m afraid I don’t quite…”

“It’s quite simple Twilight… You are all here because you all wronged me. And now I want to settle that score.”

Everypony blinked.

Alex rolled his eyes and sighed. “I want revenge.”

“WHAT!?!”

“Revenge..?”

“That’s right! You see Twilight, when I first arrived here you and your friends gave me that rather ‘delightful’ chase and put me through a whole lot of trouble. I want for some payback for that.”

“But… We said we were sorry… You forgave us!”

“Yes, you did apologize and I did forgive you for it. But, in order to balance out the universe, I can’t let something like that simply be ignored. And while I promised Celestia I wouldn’t go completely mental on you all if you caught me, she didn’t say anything about me doing it in my dreams. And since Luna is a princess of dreams, she was more than happy to give me this one opportunity and make my wish come true.”

Everypony’s eyes went wide. He was going to punish them in their dreams like some boogeypony. “What… What are you going to do..?” Twilight asked nervously as sweat began to appear on her forehead.

“I’m going to do to you what you did to me…” A shotgun suddenly appeared in his hands as he smiled deviously at them. “I’m going on a hunt. And guess who the prey is…”

“Squeak!” Fluttershy hid behind Rainbow.

“P- Prey..?”

“Oh yeah?!” exclaimed Pinkie. “Well, you can’t get us if we wake up! And I'm going to wake up right… NOW!” She shut her eyes and made silly faces as she was… ‘trying’ to wake up. Everypony just facehoofed. “Am I awake yet?”

Alex and Luna giggled. “I’m afraid you’re going to find waking up rather impossible at the moment. This is my dream. You won’t wake up until I do.” Alex grinned.

“Now Alexander… Darling…” Rarity laughed nervously. “Surely you jest. I- I mean, we all can agree we did some rather silly and inexcusable things to you but you can’t punish us like this…”

“Yeah!” added Pinkie as she pushed herself in front of Rarity. “I mean, all we did was chase you, cage you, lock you up, box you in, shrink you, stone you, eat y-”

“PINKIE!?!”

“What? We did!”

“Luna!” exclaimed Twilight. “You and Alex are obviously doing this to teach us all a lesson. I’ll admit we all acted pretty badly, but there is no way Celestia is going to allow this!”

“Now, don’t you tell me what I can and can’t allow…” Twilight and everypony suddenly turned their heads towards the nearest cloud in the sky as they heard a familiar voice. Twilight was nearly rendered speechless. “Besides, this is Luna’s night. I rule the day.”

“C- Celestia?!?”

“Hi Twilight! I hope you don’t mind while I sit up here and help the Crusaders keep score? I’ll root for you all. I hope you last longer than the others, my faithful student.” She winked. Twilight looked as if her mind was about to blow.

“I… Huh..? Wha..?”

“Applebloom?” said Applejack.

“Sweetie Belle?” said Rarity.

“Squirt?” said Rainbow.

“What in tarnation are ya’ll doin’ here?”

“Oh hey Applejack!” Appebloom smiled and waved at her. “We’re keeping scores!”

The Mane Six gawked at them. “WHAT??!?”

Applejack cocked an eyebrow. “Yer ‘what’ now?”

“We’re keeping scores!” repeated Scootaloo with a smile. “We’re Alex’s personal score keepers. We just sit here and note the pony with the most ‘hit points’.”

Rarity’s jaw dropped. “Gah..?”

“That’s right!” Sweetie Belle chirped. “And if we’re really good, we’ll probably earn a cutiemark for it!”

“CUTIEMARK CRUSADERS! SCORE KEEPERS! YAY!”

Alex shielded his ears and cringed. “Seriously… Cut that out!”

Applejack just pulled her Stetson over her head and groaned. Rarity nearly felt faint.

“Hey! No fair!” exclaimed Rainbow. “Why aren’t Celestia and the kids being punished? They chased Alex too.” She then noticed the looks on Celestia and the fillies’ faces. “I mean… No offence…”

“My dear Rainbow Dash...” replied Celestia with a playful grin. “Alex would never punish little fillies, right Alex?” Alex looked at Celestia and nodded. She looked at rainbow and narrowed her eyes. “As for me, I’ve already paid for that humiliation, remember?”

“Oh yeah…”

CLICK!

Before more protests could be uttered, everypony suddenly froze at the sound of Alex loading his shotgun. “We’ve got all night girls, so you’ll get a fifty second head start.”

“Now Alex…” Twilight tried to reason while nervously backing away. “Can’t we all just… sit down and talk about-”

“One… Two… Skip a few… FIFTY!”

BOOM!

*‘YAKETY SAX’ PLAYING*

“RUN!!!”

“OUTTA THE WAY!!!”

“HEAD FOR THE HILLS!”

“Oh dear! Oh dear! Oh dear! Oh dear…”

“*SHRIEK!!!* NO! NOT MY HAIR!”

“WEEEE~! I DESERVE THIS!”

As the ponies fled into the woods, Alex leaned forward towards Luna. “Do you suppose they’ll forgive me for this when they wake up in the morning?”

Luna laughed. “Why wouldn’t they? After what they did, it’s only fair.” she snickered. “Besides, a bad dream is usually caused by guilty conscience, right?” She winked at him. Alex smiled back and laughed.

Luna then reared and quickly galloped after the Mane Six, with Alex’ s shotgun echoing throughout the woods, followed closely by pony screams.

“TALLY-HO!!!”

BOOM! BOOM!

*****

Throughout the night, Alex slept happily in his bed, dreaming his now favorite dream. As for the Mane Six… Not so much…

THE END

Celestia Wins

View Online

Chapter 17: The Winner is…

Nopony had grabbed Alex!

This only meant one thing. That one of them had claimed Alex ahead of the others. With controlled excitement, all three levitated Alex towards them.

“The hunt is over! The winner is… Oh! Giggle! Me!”

“Aaaaw…” the other ponies groaned with disappointment.

“YAY!” cheered Pinkie Pie.

Celestia smiled greatly with the still unconscious Alex floating beside her. The other ponies soon joined them and congratulated her for her victory. “Congratulations princess…” said Twilight with a rather forced smile while bowing her head and kneeling.

“Thank you Twilight.” said Celestia.
Everypony, including her sister, congratulated Celestia for her victory and it wasn’t long before they all heard the weak moaning of Alex regaining his consciousness.

“Uh… What happened?” muttered Alex as he scratched his head.

“The hunt is over Alex.” said Celestia with a smile. Alex turned his head towards Celestia, his eyes wide with dread. “And I won.”
Out of every pony present, the one pony he most definitely didn’t want to get caught by was Celestia. He had silently hoped that one of the other ponies… yes… even her sister Luna, would’ve caught him instead. But here he was, enveloped by her magic and utterly helpless.

“Now we may finally begin. Sister? Twilight Sparkle? Everypony?” Luna and Twilight gave Celestia their full attention, along with everypony present. “I would like for you all to join me back at Canterlot. I have something extraordinary that I would like to share with you all, something that especially concerns young Alex here.” Celestia smiled while Alex cringed.

Twilight and her friends all started to mutter excitedly with eachother, curious as to what their princess was talking about. Alex just gulped as he knew exactly what she was talking about. Luna knew it too, but sighed. Since she had lost the hunt, she was now unable to prevent Celestia from doing what she had in mind for Alex. All she could do now was pray and hope Celestia’s intentions were more merciful than hers.

With everypony ready, Princess Celestia then lit her horn and in an instant they were all teleported back to Canterlot.

*****

FLASH!

Once on the castle grounds of Canterlot, Celestia released Alex from her magic and folded her one wing gently around his shoulders. “Come Alex.” She then eyed the others. “If the rest of you would please follow us…” Luna, Twilight and their friends followed close behind as Celestia guided them and Alex through the main gates of the castle, up the stairs and through several corridors.
Alex was quite taken by the castles’ interior décor. There were white marble walls, tall ivory colored pillars and red carpets spread all across the floors of the hallways, with pictures of noble ponies hanging on the walls.

It wasn’t long before they reached the Main Hall of the castle. At the end of the hall was a mirror, and standing by it were three armored stallions on guard, two unicorns and one pegasus. Luna recognized the pegasus as Captain Fury Feather from the night before.

“Captain Fury Feather!”

“Your Highness!” The captain kneeled and bowed as they approached. “What’s the status?”

“I’m happy to inform you that everything is going forward as planned. Take your men and inform the rest of the garrison to get ready and make immediate preparations.”

“Yes your Highness!” The captain saluted. He gestured the two guards by the mirror to follow and all three quickly left the hall.

This made the ponies even more curious. “Pardon me Princess, if I may..?” Rarity politely interrupted. “…But ‘what’ is going as planned, exactly?” The question was shared by everyone.

Celestia smiled. “Come and I’ll show you.” Celestia led them to the mirror. “My little ponies! The mirror that you see before you is a magic mirror, made by Starswirl himself.”

“Starswirl?” exclaimed Twilight, stars sparkling in her eyes with excitement. Anything made by Starswirl that she had no knowledge about was worth every attention.

“Yes Twilight. It has enabled me to explore the great vastness of the universe and the alien worlds beyond Equus.” This information made Twilight’s eyes sparkle even more and her mouth drool.
“And after many years of exploring beautiful and lifeless worlds, I eventually found one teeming with life! Sentient life!”

Everypony gasped upon hearing this news. It even made Applejack’s Stetson fly off her head and onto the floor.

Celestia then sighed and her smile faded. “Alas, the mirror only gave me the ability to see and hear. I was, and still am currently unable to interact or enter this world due to a powerful invisible barrier that’s keeping our worlds separated.” Everypony looked at one another with silent disappointment at the news. But then Celestia smiled again. “Earlier today however… Moments before dawn, my sister Luna did the impossible and managed to bring by accident one of its inhabitants to our world, which of course happens to be young Alex here.” Celestia proudly extended her wing and gently folded it around Alex, bringing him closer.

Everyponies eyes were on Luna. She blushed and bit her lips in silent regret for having done it in the first place. They then stared at Alex. They had all wondered from where and how he came to Equestria, and now that answer was finally revealed to them.

“Due to my sister’s actions, a magical tether was formed and has linked young Alex here with the mirror, allowing nopony but him to reenter the mirror. And with his help, I shall use this magic link to finally remove the magical barrier that separates both our worlds. Not only will Alex be able to finally go home, but we will accompany him.”

Twilight and her friends gasped even more. Applejack’s Stetson fell off the second time.

“My word!” exclaimed Rarity.

“Us? On Alex’s homeworld? This is SO amazing!” muttered Twilight in restrained glee. “Think of all the knowledge I will learn! All the books I will read!!!”

“Boy Howdy..!” said Applejack while putting her Stetson back on. “A whole new world to explore…”

“Really? He can go home? How wonderful!” Fluttershy cheered with great relief. “Isn’t that great Alex? You’re finally going home to your family!”

“AN ALIEN WORLD?!? COOL!!!” exclaimed the Crusaders.

“CUTIEMARK CRUSADERS! NEW WORLD EXPLORERS! YAY!”

“M- MORE HUMANS?!?” Pinkie could hardly contain her excitement. She then began to bounce around, throwing streamers and confetti into the air. “ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!! WE’RE GOING TO HAVE SUCH A PARTY!!!”

“This… is… AWESOME!” cheered Rainbow Dash while anxiously rubbing her hooves. “Just think of all the fun we’ll have! I can hardly wait!”

After hearing those words come out of Rainbow, Alex started to panic. His world was only moments away from disaster. He had to prevent it. He quickly tore himself away from Celestia’s wing and quickly distanced himself from both the mirror and them.

“Alex? What is it?” exclaimed Celestia with surprise. Even Twilight and her friends got startled by his unexplained behavior.

“Alex? What’s the matter?” asked Fluttershy concerned.

“What gives Lexy? Aren’t you excited to go home-?”

Then they all suddenly saw tears building up in Alex’s eyes as he ignored them, his eyes focused only on Celestia.

“Your Highness…” he chocked. “Stop this… Please! STOP THIS!” he fell to his knees on the hard floor, adding more confusion to the ponies. “I impl- OUCH!” He rubbed his knees before continuing. “-implore you- No! I BEG of you! Show mercy! DON’T INVADE MY WORLD!”

His last words echoed throughout the hall, followed by utter silence. The ponies’ faces were filled with shock.

“In- Invade..?” Applejack stuttered.

Twilight shot a questionable glance back at Celestia. “Princess..? What is he talking about?”

“Why did it have to be you?” Alex continued. He then eyed the ponies. “Why couldn’t any of you have caught me instead? Now my world is doomed!” He eyed Celestia again. “I played your stupid game with the promise that if one your ponies caught me, you would not force me to do this! Please! Do whatever you want with me, but please spare my world!” he wailed.

Celestia just stared at him. Her mouth opened and was about to say something when suddenly the doors reopened and Fury Feather popped his head in.

“Your Highness! Just to inform you that the troops are making preparations for the crossover and will be ready once you give the signal.” the captain happily announced. “I would also like to add that everypony is really excited to begin Operation Stormbreaker.”

Everypony in room was again silent. Twilight and all her friends suddenly began to realize that something was up. Apparently this was more than a simple ‘First Contact’ mission.

“That’s good to hear captain…” Celestia answered nervously, yet kept her smile on. “Carry on.”

“Yes your Highness!” As the smiling captain pulled his head and closed the doors, Twilight and her friends now turned their eyes on Celestia.

“Operation Stormbreaker…?” asked Twilight.

“T-Troops?” asked Fluttershy.

“Preparations?” asked Rainbow Dash.

“Signal?” asked Applejack.

“Crossover?” asked Rarity.

“Every…”

“…pony…”

“…excited?” asked the Crusaders, finishing eachother sentences.

“Your Highness?” asked Pinkie. Her friends shot her a questionable look. “What? All the good ones were taken.”

“Princess..? What’s Operation Stormbreaker?” asked Twilight as she approached her. She then thought about what Alex said before. “Wait… Invade… Troops standing ready..?” It then hit her and she held her mouth in complete shock. “You… You’re not…”

Celestia looked at her student with an unreadable expression on her face. She then snickered and a devious grin suddenly appeared on her face. “What’s the matter my little ponies? I thought you all wanted a human? Now you can have a whole world of humans to choose from.” She turned to face the mirror. Using her magic, the image of Alex’s world came into view. “Just think my ponies, a whole new world for us to rule. Once I nullify this magical barrier, the path to Alex’s world will be laid bare…”

Everypony was utterly stunned hearing this. Twilight herself couldn’t believe what her own mentor was saying. “Princess… You can’t be serious! This goes against everything you taught me! This is-”

“What?” Celestia turned her head and faced Twilight. “Don’t you want your Hoofbel, my faithful student?” Celestia then eyed Alex and trotted slowly towards him, her horn now charged and ready to perform the deed. “Think of all the wonderful things you could learn from this world. Think of all the test subjects…”

Twilight felt sick. This was not what she wanted. “No…”

“Twilight?”

“NO!!!” Twilight screamed and immediately galloped past Celestia, blocking her path to Alex. “No Princess! I won’t let you do this!”

“Twilight!”

Tears began to form around Twilight’s eyes. “As much as I wanted that Hoofbel, I will not let you use Alex to take over his world! It’s wrong!” Twilight gulped and gritted her teeth. “I don’t know what’s gotten into you. But if I must… Gulp! I… I’ll stop you myself if I have to…”

“Twilight…”

The rest of the ponies suddenly galloped over to Alex and huddled around him, in a desperate attempt to protect him from Celestia.

Luna didn’t move. She just stood there and watched closely, with her eyes firmly locked on Celestia. Something was wrong. ‘What art thou doing sister?’

Fluttershy held her hooves around Alex tight and cried while nuzzling his face. “Please Princess! Don’t hurt the humans! Alex just wants to go home to his family!” She then glared at Celestia. “I WON’T LET YOU!” Celestia couldn’t believe it, but she nearly felt a chill down her spine at that moment.

Pinkie Pie, holding around him even tighter, cried like a fountain. “WAAAH!!! All I want is to party with them! I don’t want to invade them!” she chocked. She too glared at Celestia. “And I thought you were nice! What are you going to do to them, huh? Make them sacrifice their young? No wait, that’s Luna…”

A rather shocked Luna shot Pinkie a very questionable gaze. ‘What in Equestria are you implying?!?’

“Are you going to make them worship you? Are you going to become their goddess??” Pinkie continued. “Ooh! I know! You’re going to turn them all into ponies using my Pony Po-” Pinkie suddenly pulled the bottle out of her mane and frantically tossed it out a window. “I mean… What Pony Potion? Squee! PRINCESS MEANIE!”

*****

Just outside below the castle, a rather distinguished-looking blue earth-pony mare was talking to a shy jack gardener.

“Miss Blue Belle… I’m… happy that you want to go out with me...” said the rather bashful donkey. “But I don’t know… Do you really want to be seen dating a donkey gardener like me?”

“Oh Bashful, it doesn’t matter if you’re a donkey and not a pony. I love you just the same and that’s all that matters.”

Bashful’s ears fluttered. “Really?”

“Really.” Blue Belle puckered her lips and leaned over to kiss him. The now love-stricken Bashful swallowed nervously and puckered his lips...

SPLASH!

Suddenly, a bottle came crashing down and shattered on Bashful’s head, spilling its contents all over him.

“Hey! Ew… What is this-”

POFF!

“BASHFUL!” Blue Belle exclaimed as Bashful was suddenly engulfed in smoke. “Cough! Bashful! Cough! Cough!” As Blue Belle waved away the smoke, Bashful eventually came back into view and her eyes widened.
“Bashful..?” Blue Belle’s stuttered in utter surprise. Bashful the donkey was suddenly replaced by a beautiful cream colored earth-pony stallion.

“Wha-? Blue Belle? What happened? What are you looking at-?”

Blue Belle suddenly screamed at the top of her lungs and ran away crying. “WAAAH! This is awful! You’ve CHANGED!”

“Huh?” A rather confused Bashful quickly chased after her. “Blue Belle! Wait! What do you mean?”

*****

Back in the Main Hall…

Celestia just stared deadpanned at the Mane Six.

Rarity nervously tried to reason with Celestia. “Your Highness… I have to agree with Twilight. This is most… uncultivated! Savage even! Surely we can-”

“Yeah!” Rainbow Dash interrupted as she suddenly flew up to Celestia in a challenging manner. “Alex might’ve been a jerk but he doesn’t deserve this! So if you want him, then you’re going to have to go through me!”

“Ya mean, through US!” said Applejack angrily as she joined Rainbow. “Ah hafta honestly say princess, that tis here is low. Even fer ya’ll!”

“YOU HAVE TO GO THROUGH US TOO!” yelled the Crusaders as they threw themselves onto Celestia’s forelegs in a feeble attempt to keep her away from Alex. “PLEASE PRINCESS CELESTIA! DON’T DO IT!” they cried.

Celestia just stood there, mouth hanging as she stared at them all. She saw how they willingly cast aside their selfish goals in defense of Alex and his world. They even went as far as challenging her directly. She had never seen such bravery before…

“I see…” Celestia sounded rather displeased. “Then I guess I have no choice…”

The ponies braced themselves.

“…but to say that I’m SO PROUD OF YOU ALL!”

“HUH???!?”

Celestia began to snort. Then she began to burst into a fit laughter. It wasn’t a malicious or taunting laughter, but actually a heartily and joyful one, as if someone had told the world’s greatest joke.

“Did… Did I miss something just now?” asked Rainbow confused as she lowered back onto the floor. Even Twilight shared her confusion.

“Princess..?”

“Oh Twilight…” she giggled while drying her eyes. “I thought you knew me better than that.” She looked to the ponies. “Did you all seriously believe I was going to conquer Alex’s world?”

“You’re not?” asked Alex bewildered.

“YOU’RE NOT?!?” the ponies exclaimed even more confused.

Twilight was now more confused. “But… But you just said-”

“To teach you all a lesson.” said Celestia. “And to show Alex that you are not the ponies he believed you to be. That despite your rather ‘un-ponylike’ behavior in trying to capture him, deep down you really care for him and would even stand up to defend him if needed.”

Everypony blushed. “Ehm… Is it too late to apologize for that ‘Princess Meanie’ remark..?” asked Pinkie, wondering if she was going to throw herself a ‘Welcome to the Dungeon Pinkie Pie’ Party.

“My goal, my little ponies, is to establish a peaceful relation with Alex’s world. I had no intention of invading anything.”

“But… the soldiers..?” asked Alex.

Celestia sighed. “Forgive me. It was meant to be a surprise.”

“A surprise..?” asked Alex confused.

“That’s right Alex. I know I should’ve told you, but I couldn’t help myself.” She used her magic to lift him back on his feet. She then embraced him with her wings and nuzzled his cheek. “Forgive me. From the moment we first met, I should’ve taken your feelings into more consideration. I should’ve realized that you would react this way, especially after everything you had been through.” Twilight and her friends all shared the look of guilt.
Celestia then gently pulled herself away and looked him in the eyes with a regretful smile. “And please forgive me if I scared you with my theatrics’. I promise you that you and your people have nothing to fear from me or my ponies. What I’m about to do will usher in a Golden Age for your people and I can assure you that everything will be fine! I Pinkie Promise!”

Alex didn’t quite know what to say to that. After that little ‘evil princess’ acting of hers, he was still pretty mad at her.

“You can trust her Alex.” said Pinkie with a smile as she appeared beside him. “Nopony breaks a Pinkie Promise. Not even Princess Celestia!”

Alex still felt unsure.

“Alex… You have my solemn vow that nothing bad is going to happen. Trust me.”

Alex looked at Celestia. He then looked at the ponies, seeing the sincere smiles on their faces. He also looked at Luna, who smiled as well.

“I know my sister better than anypony young Alex. Believe me; she has more good in her than I ever had.”

Alex took a moment to think. Where they telling the truth? Even after what he had seen and what they had done, it seemed likely that they were. Still, it didn’t change the fact that his only hope of getting home was through the mirror and everything now relied upon him trusting them.

In the end, Alex took a deep breath and calmed himself. “You promise that I won’t regret this?”

“I promise Alex, with all of my heart.”

“Well then… Do what you must.”

Alex did not resist as Celestia placed her wing around his shoulders and guided him back towards the mirror, placing him directly in front of it. Celestia carefully tapped her horn on his forehead. She then began to recite a spell that not even Twilight knew about.
As she did, intense light began to emit from her horn and a chain of magical energy bewtween Alex and the mirror became visible. Using her horn, Celestia carefully linked the chain onto her horn. Alex stepped aside as Celestia now moved in front of the mirror, her eyes now glowing as her magic intensified. Suddenly, the mirror began to glow with a bright near-blinding light. Then black cracks began to appear, as if an invisible wall inside the mirror was starting to break.

Citing one more incantation, Celestia’s magic finally broke the barrier, creating a large gust of wind that blew throughout the hall.

Everypony gasped. Applejack managed to hold on to her Stetson this time.

Once the light had finally died down, everyone carefully approached the mirror. Alex and all the ponies held their breaths as Celestia carefully placed her hoof on it. It went through the glass without any resistance. The barrier had been lifted.

Celestia smiled. “Now we may begin…”

*****

A few weeks later, on Earth…

An Emergency Meeting was being held at UN building in New York. Murmurs and intense chatting amongst the World Leaders, as well as the Committee, echoed throughout the great hall until the currently elected Secretary General found his place behind the podium and addressed them.

“Ladies and Gentlemen! If I may have your attention, we may finally come to order!” The chattering slowly died down as everyone directed their attention towards the podium.

“Thank you. As many of you may already know; roughly two days ago, hurricane Larson, the largest hurricane to date, threatened the coastal cities of this great country. According to our scientists and their weather analysis’s, this storm was one the biggest in over a hundred years, with winds estimated to be the most powerful on record. It was this country’s biggest ecological and financial disaster to date.” He paused. “That is… it would’ve been…”

A large white screen was lowered behind him and the Secretary General began to show slideshows of pictures taken by civilians and rescue workers of during the impact of the storm. “As the storm hit, Rescue Centers received numerous distress calls from trapped civilians. What followed was…” the Secretary General paused again and cleared his throat. “It’s hard to explain…” He changed the photo.

The World Leaders gasped as the next picture showed what appeared to be a flying armored pony carrying a young woman to safety. “Reports of… Cough! ‘ponies’ rescuing civilians suddenly came in.”

Whispers and murmurs echoed among them.

“At first they were perceived as practical jokes, but soon more and more reports and sightings came in.” He changed one picture after another, showing more armored flying ponies rescuing civilians; men, women and children alike. “These… ‘pegasi’ were described wearing some kind of metal armor. Braving the storm, they flew in and brought out every civilian they could find to safety, before suddenly flying off and mysteriously disappear without a trace. But these were only the first…”

He then showed a picture of several armored earth-ponies. “While on duty, rescue teams reported seeing ponies that seemed to possess unnatural strength and intelligence. They were observed ‘helping’ the workers building barriers and river defenses to prevent rivers from flooding over. Others were seen carrying hurt civilians out of wreckages and providing medical aid.” He showed them a picture of a pony with a red cross on its flank, providing CPR to an unconscious civilian.

“And it gets better.” He showed them a new picture. This time it was a unicorn using its horn to magically lift an injured man up from a raging river, keeping him shielded inside a protective bubble. Gasps echoed throughout the great hall. “Eyewitnesses claim that these ‘unicorns’ used what can only be described as magic to rescue and protect civilians. Some even appeared simply out of nowhere and shortly disappeared the moment their task was done.”

What followed was long pause by the General Secretary, as he tried to work up his courage to say the next thing on his report.

“To make things even more… unbelievable…” He showed them a series of satellite photos. “As you can see from these pictures, a large number of pegasi suddenly entered the hurricane and…” He shook his head and tried to remain calm. “And… ‘tamed’ the storm…” The World Leaders gasped and looked at one another in utter disbelief and shock.
“And, as if by a miracle, the largest and most destructive hurricane in Earth’s history ended as nothing more than a light breeze.”

Everyone was utterly silent.

“Then, as quickly as the storm ended, the pegasi, like the others, disappeared as if they were never there.” He took a deep breath.
“No one knows who or what these ponies were, but their involvement saved many homes and lives…”

Then more photos appeared on the screen. “Of course, this was not the only incident. Before the hurricane, there had already been early reports of ‘pony sightings’ throughout the world. Mountain climbers in the Alps reported being saved from falling by several pegasi. In Africa, a village suffering from extreme drought and famine was suddenly aided by ponies that… somehow made it rain! They even plowed the barren fields and grew food for the whole village. In the Middle-East, two warring tribe leaders were suddenly abducted by unicorns who, by the leaders own account, brought them together to talk out their differences before returning them. Thus ending a 20 year long conflict in less than one day…”

A photo of what looked like a celebration was shown. “Here in New York, 6 year old Timmy Bodkin’s birthday party was saved by what was described as a pink ‘Party’ pony.”
He then showed another incredible photo. “And last weekend, outside of Tokyo… The great beast, Gorgozilla, rose from the depths of the Pacific Ocean and threatened to flatten the great city, before being stopped and chased off by a yellow pegasus that… kindly asked it to go away…”

The hall was again in utter silence.

“Ladies and Gentlemen, these… reports have baffled us just as much as they are baffling you right now.” He sighed. “We still have no idea as to who or what these mysterious and… ‘heroic’ ponies are or where they come from-”

“Um… Excuse me?”

The Secretary General and the whole assembly suddenly turned their heads and saw a young man standing in a corner, as if he had materialized out of thin air. “I know what these ponies are Sir. I can explain everything...”

Security was about to remove him from the building when the Secretary General signaled them to stop. “How did you get in here son? This is a highly secured building.”

“Please Sir…” Alex slowly approached him, showing his hands to reveal he had no ill intentions. “If you’ll allow me, I’ll explain everything and tell you all what’s been going on.” Unsure at first, the Secretary General eventually gestured him to come forth. And while it did seem highly unorthodox, everyone, including him, desperately wanted answers to this ‘pony’ phenomenon. He stepped aside as Alex nervously took the podium and faced the assembly.

“World Leaders… UN Committee… Secretary General… My name is Alex. The ponies that stopped the hurricane are more than just ‘magical ponies’. They are visitors from a distant land beyond our world, known as Equestria.” The World Leaders looked at eachother. Some scratched their heads in confusion while others seemed to chuckle at the name.
“Please! I know this sounds ridiculous, perhaps even insane. But I swear it is the truth. These ponies possess powers that are unlike anything we have seen. Their leader is called Princess Celestia. She is the reason I appear before you right now.”

While he found the whole thing too impossible, the Secretary General decided to play along with this new development. Anything that could explain these impossible events was welcome enough.
“And just what does this ‘Princess Celestia’ want?” he asked.

“She sent me ahead to inform you all, that she’s ready to appear before you now. All she asks is for you all to remain calm and she gives her word that she comes in peace.” Everyone looked rather skeptical while others were curious. “Sir..? With your permission..?” The Secretary General scratched his head. In the end he just shrugged and signaled Alex to proceed. “Ladies and Gentlemen… I give you… Princess Celestia of Equestria!”

As Alex stepped off the podium, a bright orb of light suddenly appeared from above the ceiling and settled down behind it. It intensified and nearly blinded the assembly. Once it faded, everyone gasped as Celestia herself suddenly materialized before them, accompanied by two unicorn guards.

More Security arrived and surrounded the ponies, their hands ready on their holsters. They were quickly waved off by the Secretary General, signaling them to back off but still remain vigilant.

Celestia calmly took her place behind the podium, facing the World Leaders. “Greetings. I’m-”

The World Leaders gasped.

“HOLY SEABISCUIT! SHE CAN ACTUALLY TALK!”

“LOOK! SHE HAS A HORN AND WINGS!”

“DO YOU COME IN PEACE? IF YOU DO, THEN SURRENDER OR BE DESTROYED! IF YOU COME WITH WAR, THEN WE SURRENDER!”

Celestia giggled. “Please! Calm down and I shall reveal to you all my true intentions here!”

Everybody in the room eventually calmed down as Celestia cleared her throat to speak.

“Ahem! Leaders of Earth! I am Princess Celestia of Equestria.” She smiled and bowed her head before them. “I apologize for arriving in such a dramatic manner. I can assure you all that I had no intention to startle any of you, and you can rest easy knowing I’ve come with good intentions. As you all have just seen and heard, my little ponies have appeared throughout your world; diverting storms, saving lives, tending the earth and bringing peace. This is just a small example to show you all that Equestria means you no harm and that you have nothing to fear from us.”

“But why? Why are you doing this?” asked he Secretary General. “And how is it that you know of us?”

“I will admit that I have been aware of you for quite some time. We only now can interact with you thanks to young Alex here, who arrived on Equestria due to an unforeseen circumstance perpetrated by my own sister. You can rest assured that while Alex’s experience on our world has been a great trial, he has been well taken care of. And now we return him to you as a sign of good will and trust. We only wish to make friends with you and perhaps teach you of our Equestrian ways. And in turn, humanity can teach us the ways of theirs.”

The World Leaders chatted and murmured to one another after hearing this. The Secretary General slowly approached her. “Uh… Your Highness…?” he struggled, trying not to laugh on the fact that he was talking to a horse. “If I may be so bold as to ask… What could we possibly teach you? You obviously seem more… ‘advanced’ than us. ‘Magically’ that is…”

Celestia sighed. “True… We possess great magic and we can manipulate the world around us, such as we have always done for centuries. Even my sister and I control the sun and moon of our world.” She then looked out towards the assembly. “But you… You’ve all come so far without physical guidance from any all-powerful being other than through your own beliefs and wisdom. You live your lives surrounded by uncontrolled nature and you have strived to overcome great obstacles. Without magic, you have accomplished many great feats, even reached the surface of your own moon! My ponies however, live a sheltered life. And while I’ve done my best to guide them, some are still too dependent on me. Some are even scared of their own shadows. What they need is a ‘human element’ in their lives, an element that can teach them to go even further and to not be afraid.”
She then flared her wing and bowed some more. “And so I appear before you now to extend my hoof of friendship in hopes that you’ll welcome Equestria into your lives.”

The World Leaders looked at eachother with uncertainty. This was a huge step.

“Should you decide not to accept us, then I shall respect it. I will leave you all in peace and never return.”

There was a great pause throughout the assembly. The Secretary General thought for a moment and then approached her again. “This needs to be taken into careful consideration. Would you all please wait outside while we discuss this?”

Celestia nodded. “Of course.”

A security officer appeared to escort them to the VIP rooms. Celestia, along with her guards and Alex followed, leaving the World Leaders to decide upon this new development.

*****

Many hours passed. Alex and Celestia were sitting comfortably on a sofa, waiting patiently for a decision to be made. Her guards were lying on the floor in front of a television set, their helmets off and watching a Sci-Fi show with great interest.

“Do you really think they’ll go along with this?” asked Alex, having grown a bit anxious the last hour.

Celestia just smiled. “Not to worry Alex. No matter what their decision is, I will keep my promise.” She then leaned over to him. “Thank you for not saying anything about the… ‘you-know-what’.”

“It’s okay your Highness. And don’t worry. I won’t mention anything about the ‘you-know-what’ as long as you keep that promise of yours.”

Celestia nervously bit her lower lip and giggled. “Of course! I wouldn’t dream of-”

The door to their room suddenly opened. Celestia and Alex rose from their couch. Her guards quickly scrambled back on their hooves, clumsily putting their helmets on as the Secretary General entered along with a few of the UN Security staff. “If you would be so kindly as to follow me…”

*****

Alex and Celestia were taken back to the great hall before the World Leaders as the General Secretary took the podium.

“After a long debate, we have reached a decision…” he paused and then faced Celestia. “On behalf of humanity, we welcome you and Equestria to Earth!” The General Secretary, the World Leaders and the Committee all stood up and applauded them. A delightful smile spread across Celestia’s face as she wrapped a wing around Alex’s shoulder. Alex smiled as well, quite relieved by the outcome of this decision.
“If you wish to employ a Representative to the UN, we’ll be happy to find one for yours.”

“Thank you Secretary General. I have already made arrangements for an Equestrian Representative to your UN. As for a human Representative, I have already considered a candidate for that job…” She extended her wing and gently placed it on Alex’s shoulder. “With your permission, I wish to take young Alex here under my wing and teach him the ways of Equestria. In turn he will represent the good of humanity amongst my ponies.”

The Secretary General rubbed his chin and smiled. “I’m sure that can be arranged… Of course, he is quite young… and we may need his parents’ permission...”

*****

Later, at Alex’s home…

Alex’s parents sat in their chairs and listened as the news of their son’s recent whereabouts was explained to them, along with the plans of him being instated as an ambassador to represent Earth, while living in a world of magical ponies.

“That’s sounds like a wonderful idea! Don’t you think so dear?”

“Stupid boy…”

*****

Back at the UN…

“Congratulations Alex! You are hereby an official ambassador of Earth!”

“Well, that worked out better than I expected.” said Alex rather dumbfounded.

“Did you doubt me?” Celestia playfully nudged him and smiled before noticing the Secretary General approach her again.

“Your Highness, if you still have some time, I would like to arrange a personal meeting with our President and several of the World Leaders. I’m sure they’ll be very excited to meet you.” He then whispered in her ear. “As well as the President’s five year old daughter…”

Celestia giggled. “I would love to. But before I do that, I need to return to Equestria to take care of some urgent business first.”

“What kind of business?”

She looked to Alex. “More like… a promise!”

*****

Shortly after arriving back in Equestria, both Canterlot and Ponyville were suddenly meet with a curious sight.

Celestia was parading through the streets, without any royal escort. She now trotted about Ponyville, without her crown and regalia, wearing only a worn out saddle and a bridle, with Alex sitting comfortably on her back and holding a small whip.
Ponies who saw them gawked with shock and disbelief. Some even fainted. Even Twilight and her friends were utterly speechless.

“They are staring at us…” Celestia felt really embarrassed. “Are we quite done yet?”

“Not yet…” smiled Alex as he gently stroked her mane and grinned. “We still have a few more streets to visit, so giddy-up!” He used his whip on Celestia’s flank.

CRACK!

“GAH!” exclaimed Celestia.

“Oh! I’m sorry! Did it hurt? I didn’t mean to-”

“It’s… It’s quite alright Alex. No harm done…” Celestia blushed. “However… I was wondering… Would you mind… doing that again?”

Alex blinked. “Has anyone told you that you’re weird..?”

As they rode by, they were observed by Lyra Heartstrings and her best friend Bon Bon.

“Did you see that?” asked Lyra bewildered.

“I sure did…” Bon Bon frowned. “Simply disgraceful… How can the princess permit something like that?”

“I know!” said Lyra. “Do you think he’ll ride me if I ask him nicely?”

*****

Several months later…

Just as Celestia promised, Earth went into a Golden Age as Equestria and its ponies became a valuable part of human life. Ponies would come and visit Earth to learn more about their customs. They would even use their magic to help out with the weather and to spread their wisdoms of friendship and love.
Humans in turn visited Equestria and shared with the ponies their technology and teachings. They even introduced popular inventions that Equestria had yet to discover, such as mobile phones to which the ponies’ embraced with great fascination and excitement.

*****

In the royal studies of Canterlot Castle, Alex sat comfortably on a pillow as he read through some scrolls and books that Celestia had given him for his studies. As well as being an ambassador for Earth, the princess had even made Alex her new personal student and was teaching him not only Equestrian history and politics, but magic as well.

Alex put down his book and took a short breather as he glanced out the window facing out across the lands of Equestria and the clear blue sky. He stood up, walked over and leaned onto the window sill as he looked out in the direction of Ponyville.
He sighed as he thought back on the day her appeared in Equestria and how it all changed his life. While it had been quite rough ride, he couldn’t help but snicker at the whole thing.

“Alex? Are you in here?” the calls of Celestia’s voice echoed from behind the door to his room. It didn’t take long before she opened the doors and entered. “Ah! There you are Alex. How goes your studies?”

“Hi Princess!” said Alex as he stepped away from the window. He approached Celestia and bowed. “It goes great. I’ve learned quite a lot these past few months.”

“Really? Even magic?”

“Especially magic. I’ve actually managed to master a spell.”

Celestia smiled. “Care to show me?”

“Observe!” Alex directed her attention towards a desk, with a bottle of ink and a quill resting on it. He reached out his hand, closed his eyes and began to concentrate. His hand shook and his face contorted as he struggled to lift the bottle. Celestia couldn’t help but giggle a bit at that.
Suddenly, his hand began to glow with a white aura. A white aura even enveloped the ink bottle on the table.
The ink slowly levitated off the table. Concentrating very hard, Alex slowly made the bottle float towards them. However, the strain soon became too much and he lost control over it. The magic seized and the bottle fell towards the floor.
It was about to hit before Celestia quickly intervened with her own magic and saved it.

“Pant! Almost… Pant! …had it this time…” said Alex exhausted.

“That was very good Alex!” Celestia exclaimed proudly as she floated the ink bottle back onto the desk. “You’re making excellent progress. Keep practicing and you’ll be the first human in history to fully master Equestrian magic.”

“Thanks your Highness.” Alex smiled. “By the way, what bring you here today? More history lessons?”

“Actually, I’ve received a letter that Twilight and her friends are visiting Canterlot today. I figured you’d probably enjoy spending some time with them.” Celestia smiled. “In fact, I was wondering if you would have the honor of traveling with them to Earth. They’ve been eager to go there ever since their last visit.”

“That sounds like a good idea.” said Alex. “I’d be delighted to.”

Celestia smiled. She extended her wing and placed around Alex as she led him out the room and down the hall. “Any ideas on what you’re going to do once you get there?”

Alex grinned. “I’m sure I’ll think of something…”

THE END

Bonus Ending

View Online

Chapter 17: The Winner is..?

POFF!

“P- Pinkie?” Twilight was confused. Even the sisters were confused. Instead having Alex in their magic, they had Pinkie.

“Hi again Twilight!” Pinkie giggled before being suddenly dropped to the ground with a thump.

“But... where is he??!?” Twilight immediately raced over past a recovering Pinkie towards her friends, who were now stirring and slowly getting back up.
“Does anypony have Alex?”

Everypony glanced at eachother. “Uh... Nope.” answered Applejack as she rubbed her head. “Ah haven't caught 'im.”

“Me neither.” said Rarity.

“Or me.” said Fluttershy weakly.

“Wait!” Scootaloo shouted, earning everypony's attention. She and the Crusaders were blindly holding on to something. “He's here! We caught him!”

“You caught ME, pipsqueak..!” Rainbow grumbled. The Crusaders eventually opened their eyes and realized their mistake.

“Whoops..!” Scootaloo blushed as she and her friends let go. “Sorry Rainbow Dash... Squee!” Rainbow, getting back up, merely let out an annoyed snort.

“What manner of magic is this!” asked Luna bewildered. “Sister?”

“How curious...” Celestia rubbed her chin. “I wonder...”

Twilight scratched her head while looking around. “This is really weird. Where did he go..?”

******

Elsewhere...

POFF!

'THIS IS IT!!!'

Appearing out of a cloud of smoke, Alex blindly ran for his life, trying to escape the ponies behind him. He knew that at any moment he would be tackled to ground.

'THIS IS IT! THIS IS IT! TH- Huh?' He then suddenly realized that none of the ponies had tackled him yet. He opened his eyes and shot a quick glimpse back. He discovered to his surprise that they were all gone.
Screeching to a halt, he turned around and looked dumbfounded back the direction he came. To add more to his confusion, the open field had suddenly changed back into a forest again. Not to mention it looked slightly more different now. “What? Where am I? And where are- OOF!!”

Alex suddenly got the wind knocked out of him as something or someone tackled him to the ground from behind. They both rolled around on the grass before finally coming to a stop. Alex, dizzily trying to figure out what just happened, felt himself behind pulled up and placed in a hug. While his vision was momentarily in a state of blur, he could just make out the shape of a pony hugging him.

“I GOT HIM! I GOT HIM!!!”

The pony's voice apparently was female (not much to his surprise), except it didn't sound familiar to him at all. This was a new pony all together. His vision slowly beginning to clear, he noticed the color of her coat. It was...

*****

“I GOT HIM! I FINALLY GOT HIM!” yelled the mint-green colored unicorn happily as she hugged and squeezed Alex. “BON BON! HURRY UP!”

“I'm coming! Pant! I'm coming! Sheesh!” A vanilla creamed earth-pony mare with blue and pink highlights jumped out from some bushes nearby and cantered towards Alex and this new pony. “Seriously Lyra, couldn't you have waited? I could barely keep up with you!”

“DO YOU HAVE IT? DO YOU HAVE IT?!! DO YOU? DO YOU?!”

Bon Bon rolled her eyes. “Yes Lyra, I have it here. But-”

Lyra quickly held out her hoof. “GIVEGIVEGIVEGIVEGIVE-GIVE!!!”

Bon Bon quickly rummaged through her saddlebag and pulled something out. Before she could say anything else, Lyra quickly snagged it from her hoof.

“Finally!”

'Thank you Bon Bon!' 'You're welcome Lyra...' a rather unappreciated Bon Bon silently grumbled to herself.

“Hng..!” Alex rubbed his head. “What just happened?” He suddenly felt something attach to his right ear. “Huh?”

“There! Now for my piece-”

FLASH!

There was a bright flash of light as 11 familiar ponies suddenly appeared out thin air.

“This is the place...” said Celestia as she dimmed her horn. “This is where Alex disappeared to. Now where's... Huh?” Celestia, her sister, Twilight and all the ponies quickly spotted Alex and the two other ponies.

“Hey!” yelled Twilight. “What are you doing to Alex? What's going on here?”

“Hey... Isn't that Lyra?” asked Applejack. “Lyra Heartstrings?”

“And Sweetie Drops?” asked Rarity. “What are they doing here?”

“Actually, she prefers to be called 'Bon Bon'.” Pinkie corrected Rarity. “Hey Bon Bon! What'cha doin'?”

“Um...” Bon Bon bit her lip. She was nearly rendered speechless by the sudden arrival of Pinkie and all those ponies. She never expected there would be so many. Not even the princesses themselves! “Lyra... I think we're in trouble...”

Ignoring Bon Bon, Lyra quickly finished attaching the earring to her ear.“There!” She then grabbed Alex's hand. “Hands! Here I come!”

“Stop!” yelled Twilight as she rushed over to intervene. She could sense the build-up of something magical about to happen and it was originating from both Lyra and Alex. “What are you doing?”

Alex felt a new and stranger tingling sensation. “What happening..? Who are y-?”

FLASH!

There was suddenly a bright, blinding flash of light which engulfed both Lyra and Alex. It was so intense that it made everypony quickly cover their eyes. It was like staring into the sun itself. Fortunately, it lasted only a few seconds. Once the light finally died down, everypony opened their eyes and were all utterly stunned by the sight in front of them.

“Did... Did it work?” asked Lyra as she opened her eyes. She looked around and noticed that all the ponies were now silently gawking at her. She turned to Bon Bon, who looked just as stunned as the rest. “Bon Bon? What is it? Did it work?”

“I...” Bon Bon struggled. “I'm not sure how to...”

Lyra now started to get worried. “A mirror! Quick! Give me a mirror!”

Bon Bon did nothing as she was still too shocked to move. Lyra impatiently reached for Bon Bon's saddlebag and emptied it. After rummaging through her stuff, she managed to find a small mirror, picked it up and held it in front of her. Lyra gasped.

“Is... Is that..?” Lyra stuttered in disbelief as she beheld the new face in the mirror. She lifted her hoof to touch it, only to discover that her hoof was no longer a hoof.
“A hand... Bon Bon. I've got a hand.” She counted the fingers. “One... Two... Three, four, five... Five fingers...” She then lifted her other hoof, discovering it too was a hand. “TEN fingers! TWO hands! Bon Bon! I've got two hands! I'm... I'm...” Lyra got up and, for the first time in her life, stood upright on her hind legs with no difficulty. She looked herself over, noticing that she was now wearing blue jeans on her legs and a yellow shirt with a dark green jacket. “I'M HUMAN!!!”

With a loud cheer, Lyra leaped high into the air with overwhelming joy. “I'M HUMAN! HUUUMAAAN! YES!!!”

CLANG!

The Mane Six, the Crusaders and the Royal Sisters' jaws dropped simultaneously. What in Equestria had happened? Both Lyra and Alex had completely vanished before their eyes, only for this new human being to suddenly emerge. What made this one stand out from Alex was the fact that she was female. She also had light, mint green skin and a hairstyle curiously similar to Lyra's.
Desperately wanting an explanation, Twilight shook away her dumfounded expression and quickly trotted over to Bon Bon.

“Bon Bon?”

Finally snapping out of her own shock, Bon Bon turned around and noticed Twilight. “Oh! Hey Twilight...” she blushed. “I'm so sorry! I didn't know the princesses would be involved! But Lyra was... I mean she-”

“Bon Bon... What just happened? Where's Alex?”

“Well...” Bon Bon nervously bit her lower lips. “It's like this. We...”

“Are those the Ponytara earrings?” asked Celestia suddenly as she approached from behind Twilight.

“Your Highness!” Bon Bon trembled and quickly bowed down. “Forgive us! I tried to talk her out of it. But she wouldn't listen...”

“Ponytara earrings?” interrupted Twilight confused, before realization hit her. “Wait... Ponytara earrin- Gasp! Not THE Ponytara earrings?”

“The same...” answered Celestia with a sigh. “Artifacts I assumed was lost forever. They are magical earrings crafted centuries ago by Starswirl himself. Their function was to merge two ponies into one.”

“Merge two ponies... into one..?” Twilight blinked before suddenly realizing. “But then... That means that Alex has...”

“...Merged with Lyra...” Celestia finished and facehoofed while Lyra was doing a victory dance.

“I'm human~! I'm human~! Oh Yeah~! Go Lyra~! Go Lyra~!”

“Where did you come by such earrings?” Celestia demanded with a slightly serious tone.

Bon Bon gulped. “We... We stole-.”

“BORROWED!” Lyra said suddenly as she jumped on Bon Bon's back, doing a 'quotation' sign with her hands. “We 'borrowed' the earrings from some traveling showpony your Highness.”

“Traveling showpony?” asked Twilight, curiously cocking an eyebrow.

“Yeah. Somepony named... What was it now Bon Bon? The Great and Powerful Dixie?”

“Actually Lyra, it was the Great and Powerful Tr-”

“Whatever, she just went on and on about 'great' this and 'powerful' that. She even showed us a bunch of really cool ancient stuff in her wagon, including these earrings.” She tilted her head and showed them all the earrings. They were gold chains with pearl-like orbs hanging from them.
“She said something about using them on some 'unicorn upstart' who humiliated her again for some reason. She explained their function and I knew from that moment I just had to have them. So we borrowed them while she wasn't looking. Squee!”

“I see...” Twilight couldn't shake the feeling that Lyra had unintentionally done her a favor. 'I thought we made up that last time...'
As much as she wanted to know more about this 'showpony', she decided to change the subject. “How did you bring Alex here? I thought only I mastered the Teleportation Spell in Ponyville.”

Lyra smiled as she rested her arms on Bon Bon's head (much to Bon Bon's annoyance...) “You can thank Zecora for that one.”

“Zecora?”

“Yeah. Shortly after we got the earrings, Zecora found us. We learned from her of Alex's Posion Joke predicament, and we also learned that the cure she had given you was mixed with a 'Search and Retrieve' potion. Once you had given it to him, she would only need say a few magic words and then Alex would appear next to her.”

'Zecora wanted to get Alex too?' Twilight couldn't believe her own ears. Out of everypony, Zecora seemed to be the most reasonable.
Twilight then seemed to remember that she didn't give Alex the cure as he cured himself at the Spa. The one she got from Zecora was accidentally spilled on the ground and rendered useless...

Except... She used it on Alex's shoe...

“She told us she only needed a unicorn's magic to make the spell work and asked me if I wanted to help since I was the first one she happened to come across.” Lyra continued. “And of course, I was MORE than willing to help...” she laughed. Her laughter seemed to have rather sinister tone which made everypony slightly worried.

“Lyra... What did you do?” asked Fluttershy concerned.

“What did I do..?” Lyra giggled. “Bonnie? Tell her what I did after she told me how to retrieve Alex.”

Bon Bon sighed. “You jumped her and tied her up...”

“That I did!” Lyra smiled. Everypony just stared at her. “Don't worry. She's fine. I even left her an 'apology note'.”

'Somehow I doubt that will soothe things over...' Twilight facehoofed.

“Anyway, all I needed to do was say a rhyme, concentrate very hard and then summon Alex. It was really easy.”

“Easy? It took you a whole HOUR just to say it right!” said Bon Bon.

Once that little mystery was cleared up, Twilight now had another question. “So... You and Alex are merged?”

“Eeyup!” answered a smug-looking Lyra as she rubbed and blew on her fingers while admiring them.

“Forever?”

“Forever?” Lyra exclaimed. “Pfft! I wish! No, this isn't permanent. The merging is undone if I remove these earrings. Of course...” she laughed. “...it's not like I'm going to let that happen-”

“You mean like this?” Pinkie suddenly appeared behind Lyra and reached for the earrings.

“What? Hey wait! Don't-”

FLASH!

In a bright flash of light, Lyra and Alex separated right on top of Bon Bon, falling off on each their side. Alex lay on the ground nearly unconscious and moaned while his eyes were twirling. Lyra did the same but shook it off more quickly. She then eyed Pinkie and gasped.

“NO!!! Give those back!” She yelled, glaring at Pinkie as she playfully examined the earrings.

“Ooh~! Shiny...”

“Why you..!” In a sudden rage, Lyra got right up and tried to tackle her, only to hit the ground as Pinkie dodged her the moment she dived towards her. “Oof!”

Alex, finally having recovered, slowly sat up while still looking rather confused. “Wha..? What just happened?” Suddenly, Pinkie appeared beside him and attached the earring back on his right ear. “Huh?”

“Let me try!” She then attached the other one on her left ear and everything around them glowed. “Was it like this..?”

“Hey! What are you...?”

FLASH!

As the light faded, the ponies were meet with a new surprise. Another human girl had appeared wearing Alex's clothes. Except she had light pink skin with dark pink cotton candy hair.

“Ooh~! WOW! Look at me! Look at me!”

Twilight was completely stunned. “Pinkie..?”

“Lookie lookie Twilight! Now I'M a human! Neat huh?”

“Give those earrings and that body back right now!” Lyra yelled angrily as she charged at Pinkie again. Pinkie saw her coming and just playfully skipped away giggling. The ponies watched as Lyra chased Pinkie around them in a circle, trying to grab her.

Pinkie had no trouble avoiding Lyra and tricked her into leaping head first into a bush. She then twirled and skipped away like some ballerina back towards her friends.
“Giggle-Snort! This is fun! What else can these things do?” Pinkie reached for the earrings and her human form quickly disappeared in a bright flash of light.

FLASH!

Back in her pony form, Pinkie continued to skip towards her friends, while Alex again was on the ground. Confused beyond belief, he slowly got back up. “Seriously, what's going on?!!” he yelled, while feeling his chest for some reason.

“Hey Rainbow Dash! You've gotta try these!” Pinkie bounced over to Rainbow and attached an earring to her right ear.

“Hey wait a minute! What are you-?”

Pinkie suddenly made a dancing motion. “FUUUUUUUU-SION! HA!”

FLASH!

In another bright flash of light, the two ponies were suddenly merged together. Once the light faded, everyone was stunned to see a white, yellow-haired pegasus with a goofy grin. “Well... Giggle-snort! This is a surprise!”

Applejack approached them- err... her. “Is that you Pinkie?” She cocked an eyebrow. “Or is it Rainbow Dash..?”

“It's Pinkie alright.” Pinkie laughed. “Although... I'm sure Rainbow is in here somewhere. I think...”

“Um... Princess?” asked Twilight as she turned towards Celestia. “How do these earrings work exactly?”

Celestia sighed. “The earring worn on a pony's right ear serves as the required vessel, while the one worn on a pony's left ear is the dominant force that controls the former.”

“In other words...” Twilight speculated. “If Rainbow had worn the earring on the left and Pinkie on the right..?”

“Then Rainbow would've become the fastest party planner in all of Equestria.” Celestia finished as Pinkie finally noticed her new accessories.

“WOW! Wings! Lookie! I've got wings! I'm a pegasus! This really is a SURPRISE!” Pinkie crouched down, spread her wings and shot straight into the air. “WEEEE~! IM FLYING! THIS IS THE GREATEST THING EVER!!!”

“NO! COME BACK HERE!” yelled Lyra as she tried to grab her, only to miss her by a tail. “You have no idea how long I've been waiting for this!”

“Lyra?”

“Being a human was MY dream!” she wailed. “You don't know how much I've dreamed to have hands!”

Twilight blinked. “She dreams of being a human?”

“Trust me Twilight,...” Bon Bon added with a tired look. “...she does. I keep hearing it all the time...”

“Why?”

“I ask myself that question all the time...” she sighed.

The real question Twilight should have asked was how Lyra knew about humans in the first place.

Everypony (except for Lyra) patiently watched as Pinkie flew around, doing all sorts of aerial acrobatics that seemed too outlandish even for Rainbow Dash. Even Alex watched and still didn't fully understand what was going on.
After a while, Pinkie finally descended. Once back on the ground, she removed the earrings and the two ponies separated.

Rainbow groaned as she lay dizzily on the ground, her pupils twirling. “Woah... THAT felt weird...”

“This is so much FUN!” Pinkie laughed as she playfully bounced up and down. “These earrings are just perfect for parties!” She then stopped bouncing and had a thought. “Hmmm... I wonder... What if I...” She suddenly zipped over towards Alex, this time placing an earring on his left ear while attaching the other to her right. “What happens if we do this..?”

“Hey! Get off!”

“FUSION-HA!”

FLASH!

As the light faded, the ponies were met with another surprise.

“What? What are you all staring at?” Alex asked concerned. While he felt fine, he couldn't shake the feeling that something was terribly wrong with him. He lifted his arm to scratch his head, only to realize that his arm wasn't an arm anymore. It was a hoof! “What in the-” He felt his face and realized that he had somehow become a pony! “AH!!! I'm a PONY!” He started to freak out and frantically kicked the air with his hind legs.
“CHANGE ME BACK! CHANGE ME BACK RIGHT NOW!!!” As he jumped and flailed around, random explosions of confetti suddenly went off seemingly out of nowhere.

KA-BOOM! TUUT~! KA-BOOM! TUUT~!

“GAH! WHAT WAS THAT?!?”

Everypony were utterly stupefied by the sudden rain of confetti. “What in tha Hay..?”

Rainbow Dash, having rejoined her friends, beheld the sight and couldn't contain herself. “Bahahaha! Look at him! He's become a riot! A PARTY RIOT!”

“Okay! Enough of this...” Twilight sighed as she brushed off some confetti from her snout. “Now now! Hold still! Let me just...” She used her magic to quickly remove the earrings. “There!”

FLASH!

Alex sat up, opened his eyes and discovered to his great relief that he was back to his old self. “Phew! Thank goodness...”

“Awww...” lamented Pinkie as she lay next to him.

“Are you alright Alex?” asked Twilight.

“Yes... I am. But can someone please tell me... WHAT THE HECK IS GOING ON?!!”

Before Twilight could answer, Lyra had seized the opportunity and grabbed the earrings while nopony was looking.

“I'll take those! Yoink!”

“Hey!”

Lyra quickly trotted over to Alex. “Now, before anything else happens, lets wrap this up!” She was about to put the earring on his ear when Alex quickly covered them. “Come on! Let's do this already!”

“Wait just one frickin' minute here! First of all; who are you? And what exactly are you doing?”

“Whoops! I'm sorry.” Lyra smiled sheepishly. “Where are my manners. My name is Lyra. Lyra Heartstrings. And I... Ahem! I would very much like to have... your body.”

Everything went dead silent.

Alex blinked. “Say what..?”

“You see... with these earrings I can be a human just like you.”

Everything again went silent. Alex blinked yet again. “Say what?”

Getting slightly frustrated, Lyra sighed. “Look. It's really quite simple. I want to be a human!”

“You... want to be a human..?”

“Yes! I want to be a human and finally have those wonderful hands of yours!” Lyra said as she regarded his hands with a longing expression of desire. She even drooled, which made Alex slightly uncomfortable.

“Uhm... Couldn't you just turn yourself into one with your magic? You are a unicorn aren't you?”

Lyra ceased her drooling and resumed her normal posture. “I may be a unicorn, but magic like that is far beyond what I'm capable off.”

Alex then eyed Twilight. “Well then... why not ask Twilight to change you then?” Lyra followed his gaze and looked at Twilight. “She's been a human before and she did a fine job doing it too.” He said with a hint sarcasm, causing Twilight to blush shamefully and look away.

Lyra sighed. “I know she has the magic to do so, but it just wouldn't feel right. The Ponytara earrings makes it much, much more real than what a simple transformation spell can do.” Lyra then pleadingly grabbed his jacket. “Please! I REALLY want to be a human! Let me have your body! I really want to walk upright and pick up things without using my magic all the time.”

“No way!” said Alex and pushed her off. “I'm not giving my body to anyone, except perhaps that special someone...” he trailed off for a moment. “Besides, I do not want to live the rest of my life as a freakin' GIRL!”

“Pleeeeeaaaaase!” Lyra pouted with her big puppy-dog eyes.

“No. Way!”

“Listen Buster! I caught you, therefore you do as I say!”

“I didn't see you in Canterlot. Are you even a part of this? I don't even remember meeting you.”

Lyra smirked. “Oh, I've been a part of this. Ever since the beginning.” Alex was confused. “Allow me to explain. You see...”

Flashback...

“Lyra? What is it?” Bon Bon looked curiously at Lyra. “Is something wrong?”

“Did you hear that Bon Bon?” said Lyra as she looked back the direction they came. “It seemed to come from Sweet Apple Acres...”

“Probably just the wind Lyra. No reason for us to stop.”

Lyra however turned around. “No… I specifically heard-” Her eyes widened and jaw dropped at what she saw. Just a few feet away, talking to Applejack, was a bipedal creature. Lyra was completely frozen in place.

“Lyra?” Bon Bon trotted up to her and waved her hoof in front of her face. There was no reaction. “What’s the matter Lyra? What are you looking- at..?” Bon Bon froze and saw the bipedal creature too. “What in Celestia’s name is that?”

Suddenly, Lyra began to shiver and her face contorted with suppressed excitement. She bit her lower lips and shut her eyes and shook violently as she struggled to contain her glee.

“LYRA? What is that?!?”

Before Bon Bon could realize what was happening, Lyra suddenly fainted.

“Lyra? LYRA?”

Several minutes later...

Lyra finally woke, seeing Bon Bon standing over her, looking rather concerned.

“Lyra? Thank Celestia!” Bon Bon drew a sigh of relief. “You really scared-”

“Hu- Hu- Hu- Hu-”

“Lyra..?”

“HUMAN!” Lyra suddenly bounced right up with joy. “Human Bon Bon! It’s a Human!”

“Lyra! Calm down! You know what that thing is?”

“It’s not a ‘thing’ Bon Bon!” Lyra grabbed Bon Bon face, squeezing her cheeks while pressing her snout against hers with an uncontrollable smile on her face. “It’s a human in Equestria! By Celestia, the legends are true! I've been dreaming about it for so long but I never believed I’d actually get to see one! This is SO amazing!”

“Human..? Wait! You mean those bipedal things you keep drawing in your music notes?” Bon Bon said while cocking an eyebrow.

“Bon Bon! You have to help me catch him!” Lyra shook her friend.

“Wha- Wha- Wha- What?”

“Where is he?!!”

“He... He's with Applejack. She tied him up and...”

“Come on!” Lyra suddenly jumped over the fence and cantered into the orchard, heading for the Apple farm. “Let's find her and ask her if we can have him!”

“Lyra? Wait up!” yelled Bon Bon as she tried to keep up. Once they arrived, they were suddenly met by Applejack and her brother Big Mac exiting the barn. Applejack was fuming while trying to untangle herself from a rope she was covered in.

“That good fer nothin' varmint!” she said as she kicked away the rope. “He can't have gotten far! Come on Big Mac! We're goin' on a hunt!” Big Mac didn't answer but nodded in compliance.

“Applejack? What happened? Where's-”

“Oh! Hey Lyra! No time for chit-chat! I'm REAL busy right now!”

“But...”

Applejack whistled and her dog Winona soon came running. “Come on girl! We've got ourselves a GOLDEN APPLE to find.” She then galloped away. “Hurry up Big Mac!”

“Eeyup!” replied Big Mac as he followed.

Lyra and Bon Bon simply watched as the two Apple's and their dog disappeared from view. “Looks like he ran away...” said Bon Bon. “Looks like there's nothing we can do here. Let's just forget this and get back to Ponyville.”

Lyra suddenly got a determined look on her face. “Oh, we're going back to Ponyville alright...”

“Lyra? What are you thinking..?”

“Come on Bon Bon!” Lyra suddenly galloped past Bon Bon, heading in the direction towards Ponyville. “We've got to figure out a way to get him before they do! That human is MINE!”

“Lyra? Come on Lyra! Slow down!”

*****

Alex suddenly remembered back in the orchard where he first met Applejack. She was one of the two ponies he saw on the road.

“You're..!”

“I've spent the entire day searching for you. And now I finally have you.” Lyra turned and faced Celestia. “Your Highness! As my witness, you will allow me to keep this human, yes?”

Alex too eyed Celestia. “You're not seriously going to allow this, are you?”

Everyponies eyes were now fixed on Celestia as she tried to analyze the situation. “Well... I did say this was a human hunt... And the pony that caught Alex would be the winner... Lyra did catch him first. So technically she's in the right...”

“You can't be serious!” yelled Luna.

Lyra smiled. “Aha! See? Now put this earring on! It's 'Human Lyra' time!”

“This isn't fair princess! She wasn't even with us back then!” complained Twilight.

“I'm sorry Twilight... But she did get him first.”

“No!” Alex defiantly crossed his arms. “I won't do it!”

“I CAUGHT you!” Lyra sneered. “Now do it!”

“No. Way!”

Lyra then smirked. “Are you afraid?”

“No...”

“I bet you are. In fact, I bet you're afraid I'd be a better human than you.”

“You? A better human? Ha! You think it's easy being human? Look where I am!”

“Pfft! That just means you're pathetic. I could handle it, no sweat.”

“Oh really?” Alex glared at her. He then eyed the ponies for a brief moment. “So you think you can pull off being a better human than me, huh?”

Lyra glared back. “That exactly what I'm saying.”

“I see...” Alex suddenly reached for the earring. “Alright! If that's how you want it, then good luck... 'Human Lyra'!” With that, he fastened the earring to his right ear and...

FLASH!

Lyra opened her eyes, staring at her hands with unsuppressed glee. “Yes! I knew he couldn't resist! Now his body is mine! MINE!!!” she laughed maniacally as she hugged herself. This again caused some concern among the ponies present, including Bon Bon.

“Lyra..? You're REALLY starting to scare me...” Lyra suddenly mounted Bon Bon. “Lyra?!”

“Quick Bon Bon! To Ponyville and Carousel Boutique! I'm in the mood for a new dress for my NEW body!”

“Lyra...”

“Yi-Haw!” Lyra kicked Bon Bon's sides with her heels and Bon Bon, for reasons she couldn't quite understand, reared back and galloped away in the direction of Ponyville, with Lyra cheering and laughing all the way.

Everypony silently gawked after them.

“Well... THAT happened.” uttered Applejack.

“She... did notice that I was here, right?” asked Rarity, feeling rather insulted.

“We're not going to let her get away with this, are we?” yelled Rainbow Dash. “She can't just take Lexy's body like that!”

“I'm afraid there's not much we can do...” said Celestia. “We can't force her to give up Alex. Unless...” She looked to Twilight with a sly expression on her face. “...she were to learn just what being a human in Equestria is really like..?”

Twilight looked to her teacher and it hit her. She then got an idea and smirked. “Like Alex said; being human isn't easy...” Everypony stared at her with confused looks, wondering what she meant by that. Before anypony had a chance to ask, Twilight was already headed towards Ponyville.
“Come on everypony! I'll explain on the way...”

*****

The next morning...

It was a clear and lovely morning as ponies trotted about their business. The events from yesterday had almost but faded into memory. The talks of the mysterious human that appeared out of nowhere and caused such a stir around town had all but died down and life had pretty much gotten back to normal.
Well... That is... It would've. If not for 'one' thing...

*VINYL SCREECH!*

*STAYIN' ALIVE THEME*

Everyponies ears perked and turned their heads as Lyra, now wearing a pink shirt along with a pink mini skirt and matching boots, strutted down the street in her newly acquired human-form, humming cheerfully to herself and casually waving and greeting passing ponies who all simply gawked at her. Everypony simply stopped what they were doing and stared at her. Ever since Lyra came riding into town on Bon Bon, she announced to everypony of her new appearance. In a town where unusual occurrences happened on a weekly basis, this was by far the strangest thing they had seen since Ditzy's eyes.
Trailing slowly behind her was Bon Bon, too embarrassed to look or wave at anypony.

“Come on Bon Bon! Keep up. Or Am I going to do all my grocery shopping by myself?”

“This is embarrassing, Lyra...” Bon Bon said, still shielding her eyes and looking away from the curious ponies. “Let us just go back home.”

“Go back? But Bon Bon... I've got own human body now and I need to break it in.”

“But ponies are staring at us... At you! And ME... with you!”

“Don't mind them!” Lyra scoffed. “I'll bet that somewhere in that crowd, there's a pony just wishing to have a body like this!” She held her hands up in front of her. “I mean, who wouldn't want to have hands?”

“I still don't see what's so special about them...” Bon Bon sighed. “Listen Lyra...”

“Look! Look what happens when I do this with my thumbs!” Lyra showed Bon Bon how she used her hands to make it seem she was pulling off one of her own thumbs. “Neat, huh?”

“Lyra! Can't you just take those earrings off? I really feel uncomfortable talking to you when you look like that. I really want to talk to the Lyra I know.”

“TAKE THEM OFF?!” Lyra nearly shouted, cowering her ears. “And give all this up? There no way I am giving up this body! Or these HANDS!”

“Lyra...”

“Bon Bon... There is NO WAY I'm giving this up. Not in a million-”

“LYRA? LYRA!”

Lyra and Bon Bon turned their heads in the direction of the voice and saw Twilight cantering towards them.

“Oh! Hey Twilight.” answered Lyra.

“Pant! Lyra! Pant! I'm... I'm glad I finally caught up with you! Look! I really need your help!”

“Sure. What 'human' favors can I be of service to?”

“I would very much like for you to come with me to Trotholm. I've got train tickets and we need to leave as soon as possible.”

“Trotholm?” Both Lyra and Bon Bon shared a confused look. “What's in Trotholm?”

“Why my presentation, of course.” Twilight smiled.

Lyra blinked. “Presentation?”

“Yes. Originally I was going to have Alex join me. But seeing as how you are the only one here that's human, I don't suppose you would mind taking his place?”

“Me? Gee... I don't know...”

“It's going to be so exciting. All those ponies wanting to meet you. Not to mention all the scientists.”

“Scientists?”

“I'm sure they're going to ask you a lot of questions, but I trust that won't be a problem, right?”

“Questions..?” Lyra began to sweat. While she was human, she didn't know THAT much about them. “Well... Uh...”

“Perfect! It may take a few months though, but I think you can handle it...”

“MONTHS!?!”

“Oh! Did I say months? Silly me!” Twilight giggled. “I meant YEARS.”

“Years..?!??” Lyra suddenly had an expressionless look on her.

“By the way, hows your health?”

“My health..?”

“They may want to examine you. Perhaps even operate on you. You know, to find out how you tick and- Uh... Lyra?”

“BON BON!! FLEE WITH MY LIFE!!!” yelled Lyra, frantically kicking Bon Bon as she rode her away from Twilight at full speed.

“Lyra? Stop! Come back!” Twilight began chasing them. “I'm going to get my Hoofbel one way or the other!”

'Twilight is nuts! NUTS!' Lyra mentally yelled as Bon Bon managed to outrun Twilight. 'Operate? On ME!?! What is she thinking?'

“Oh hey Lyra!” Bon Bon skidded to a stop as Applejack suddenly jumped in front of them. “Jus' the po- Ah mean, human Ah wanted to see!”

“Me?” answered Lyra. “What for?”

“Why, fer tha circus act I'm puttin' on.”

“Circus act?”

“Mah family really needs to earn some Bits fer tha farm, so I figured it would be mighty generous of ya to perform fer some ponies.”

“But... But I don't know anything about performing.”

“No problem.” Applejack reached under her hat and pulled out a whip, sporting a rather disturbing grin. “All ya need is jus' a little motivation...”

KA-CRACK!

“BON BON!!!” Lyra wailed. Bon Bon didn't hesitate and quickly galloped away from Applejack with Lyra hanging on for dear life.

“Hey! Get back here!” yelled Applejack as she pursued, cracking her whip in the process.

'What the Hay has gotten into Applejack?'

“Lyra! LYRA! Over here!” Lyra turned her head and suddenly saw Fluttershy waving at them. “Quick Lyra, over here! I'll hide you!”

“Quick Bon Bon! Take me over there!”

“Are you sure Lyra?”

“It's Fluttershy, Bon Bon! She wouldn't hurt a fly.”

Bon Bon did as she was told. Fluttershy lead them away from the streets and hid them in an alley as Applejack ran by. Once she was gone, Fluttershy signaled them to emerge.

“Thanks Fluttershy. That was close...”

“Oh, you don't need to thank me. I must thank you.”

“Me? What for?”

“Because now I can take you home with me and lock you up in Alex's habitat. You'll be perfectly safe there.”

“Habitat..? Wait! WHAT?”

“Now Angel!”

Lyra and Bon Bon looked up and saw Angel Bunny and several other animal throw a large net down at them. But with quick reflexes, they both managed to avoid the net.

“COME HERE!” Fluttershy suddenly lounged at them, along with her animal friends. Lyra yelped. Bon Bon quickly jumped aside, causing Fluttershy and her animals to collide with one another. With Flutttershy and her animal momentarily in a heap, Bon Bon and Lyra rode out of the alley and down the street. “COME BACK HERE!!” Fluttershy yelled and immidiately gave chase.

“Fluttershy too?!” exclaimed Lyra. 'What's going on with everypony?'

“Lyra!” Lyra suddenly heard the distinct voice of Pinkie Pie. “HEY LYRA! OH LYYYYYYYYYYYYYRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!”

Lyra looked around, trying to find the source of the voice. “WHAT!?!”

“Hey Lyra!”

“GAH!” Lyra yelped as Pinkie suddenly appeared behind her on Bon Bon's back. How she even got on without Bon Bon knowing was beyond them.

“I've been looking all over for you! You're late for your party!”

“Party? What party?”

“Your 'Good-Bye Human Party'! I'm going to make you into a pony!”

“WHAT???!” She shoved Pinkie off. “NEVER!!! RUN BON BON! RUUUUNNN!” Bon Bon galloped away as fast as she could, with Pinkie calmly bouncing after them.
“We have to get out of town! Quick! Through here!” They made a sharp turn and-

SCREECH!

Bon Bon suddenly skidded to a stop, nearly throwing Lyra off.

“Bon Bon? Why are you stopping? RUN!”

“Uh... Lyra?” Bon Bon pointed. Lyra looked up and her face went pale. A whole mob of ponies was blocking their path!

“MINE! MINE! MINE! MINE! MINE...” They chanted. Ahead of the mob was Rarity, the Cutie Mark Crusaders and Rainbow Dash.

“Oh Lyra darling~! Would you be so kind as to accompany me to Canterlot as my pet? I have a beautiful jewel-encrusted leash for you to wear...”

“THERE SHE IS!” yelled Applebloom, wearing what looked like a surgeon's medical outfit. Even her friends wore similar outfits. “Quick! Let's get 'er so we can earn our cutiemarks!”

“CUTIE MARK CRUSADERS! HUMAN SURGEONS! YAY!”

“There you are Lyra!” Rainbow pulled out a bottle. “I've got this Shrinking Potion. Wanna play a game of cat and mouse? You can be the mouse!”

“BON BOOOOOOOOOOOOON!!!”

Bon Bon made an 180 degree turn and galloped back with the mob following close behind.

*YAKETY SAX PLAYING!*

They were chased all over town. They used every trick imaginable to elude their pursuers, but were unable to lose them. There was even no safe place to hide as Pinkie Pie somehow seemed to occupy every hiding spot imaginable.

“I... I don't know how much longer I can keep this up...Pant!” Bon Bon was finally starting to feel the fatigue.

“Has this town gone completely insane? This is not right!”

“Lyra! Pant! I'm certain... Pant! ...this will all stop, IF you just take those earrings off!”

“NEVER! I'll never take them off! We'll ride forever if we have to!”

SCREECH!

Bon Bon suddenly grinded to a halt. “Alright! That's it!” She then reared and tossed Lyra of her back.

“Oof! Bon Bon?”

“I've had more than I can take!” Bon Bon fumed. “You wanna keep that body? Fine! Then you're on your own! They're after you, not me!” She then galloped away and disappeared.

“Bon Bon! No! Come back! I need you!” Lyra turned around and saw the mob of ponies closing in on her. “Oh no...”
She ran as fast as her two legs could carry her, but no matter how she tried she just couldn't lose them. Worse still, she had no unicorn magic that could save her.
“What am I going to do?” she cried. “CELESTIA! LUNA! SAVE ME!!!”

FLASH!

“I hear thee my subject.” Lyra stopped as a sudden flash of light appeared and Luna was standing right in front of her. “And I'm here.”

“Luna!” Lyra ran up to Luna and threw herself at her hooves. “Please! Help me! Everypony has gone crazy! They're after me!” she sobbed. “Hide me!”

“Fear not my little pony turned human.” Luna smiled. “Thou art in luck, for I have thy salvation right here.” Her horn glowed and an object materialized right beside them.

“But... that's an empty pillar.”

“It's empty now, but not until thou hast taken place on it.”

“Huh?”

“Ponies won't suspect that the human statue is actually thee.”

“S- Statue??!?” Lyra backed away. “I wanted to hide, not become a statue!”

FLASH!

Suddenly, there was another flash of light behind her. This time Celestia appeared, along a couple of pegasi guards.

“Princess Celestia..?”

“There you are Lyra Heartstrings! Now I can finally use you to invade Alex's homeworld.” she smiled.

“Wha-WHAT??!?”

“You are the key to my dream of expanding our Equestrian dominance across the universe, miss Heartstrings.” Celestia smiled. “With your help, humanity will be a distant memory.”

“No! This isn't happening!”

“Guards! Take her!”

“NO!” Lyra fled with the guards chasing her.

“GET HER!”

Soon she had a growing army of ponies chasing her. A series of thoughts rushed through her mind. Was this how it felt like for Alex? Lyra was beginning to have regrets about her actions the day before. She had been no better than anypony else. She had taken Alex's body for her own selfish needs and for what?

Lyra ran and ran until she finally turned a corner, only to find a dead end. She tried to turn back, only to find that everypony had completely surrounded her. With her back against the wall and no way out, Lyra watched helplessly as everypony, the Mane Six, the Crusaders and even the princesses, closed in on her.

“MINE! MINE! MINE! MINE! MI-”

“ENOUGH!!!” Lyra yelled at the top of her lungs. Everypony immediately grinded to a halt and just stared at her. “If this is how my life is going to be, then I don't want it anymore!!” She then ripped off the earrings.

FLASH!

After a bright flash, Lyra and Alex were separated. Lyra tossed the earrings to the ground and smashed them. “There! See? I'm a pony! I'm not a human anymore!” She then placed herself between them and Alex. “Now leave us alone! After what I've been through I won't let you do this to him! If you really want Alex, you'll have to go through one of your own!” She scraped her hoof on the dirt and snorted while her horn glowed with magic.

There was a moment of tense silence in the air before Twilight drew a sigh of relief. “Finally... Thank you everypony. You all did well.” Everypony began to laugh and compliment one another for their deed.

“You all did very well Angel Bunny. I'm so proud of you.” Fluttershy smiled as she complimented Angel and the other animals.

Lyra was confused. “Huh?”

“I must admit Lyra, I was almost afraid this wasn't going to work...” Twilight smiled as she directed her attention back to Lyra. “You can relax now. We're not going to hurt you.”

“You're... not?”

“Of course not!” said Twilight.

“We jus' wanted ya to take off them earrings and free Alex.” said Applejack.

“My... earrings?”

“You see Lyra, we all weren't too... thrilled with you using Alex in such a way.” said Rainbow Dash.

Fluttershy nodded. “And while we may not have acted like angels ourselves...”

“...We would never have subjugated Alexander like you did, darling.” finished Rarity.

“Yeah!” exclaimed Pinkie. “I mean, I wanted to make him a pony but even I would've given him a choice to turn back if he wanted.”

“You... Did all this just to teach me a lesson?”

“It was necessary...” said Celestia. “We wanted show you that taking someone's body for your own is not the way to get what you want. Alex is a thinking creature with his own life who deserves our respect. A lesson I... WE all should've learned before meeting him. How would you feel if somepony did that to you?”

“I do now princess...” Lyra slowly lowered her head. “I... I never meant to hurt Alex... I just wanted to be a human so bad.” A tear ran down her cheek. “I promise I will never do anything like this again. I Pinkie Promise!”

“You really mean that Lyra?”

A surprised Lyra raised her head as a familiar friend emerged from the crowd. “Bon Bon?”

“I'm so happy that you finally came to your senses and took those awful things off.”

“Wait... You were in on this too?”

“Forgive me Lyra. I know how much this meant to you. But I really wanted my old friend back. I'm really sorry we had to put you through all that. Can you forgive me?”

Hesitant at first, Lyra eventually smiled. “Of course!” she hugged Bon Bon. Her ears then twitched as the sound of Alex regaining consciousness was heard.

“Groan..!”

“Alex..?” Lyra broke away from the hug and approached him. “I'm really sorry for what I did. Can you forgiv.-” She suddenly went silent. She then began to snicker. Even Bon Bon began to giggle. Soon everypony around them began to laugh as they beheld the state Alex was in.

“I'm sorry.” Lyra apologized, drying her tears of laughter as she tried to compose herself. “Giggle! That looks really go-”

“Lyra... Not. Another. Word...” Alex glared at her, while now wearing her pink dress...

*****

Using her magic for much better use, it didn’t take long before they both eventually became good friends.

She even went as far as practically making him a part of the Apple Family.

Fluttershy would visit him regularly to check on him and see how he was doing.

Seeing that Alex had been responsible for ruining her dress in the first place, she gave him his share of the profit for the trouble she put him through. She even offered him a time at the spa as a sign of good will.

Surprisingly enough, their wild chase had actually inspired her with some ideas for some new moves in which to impress the Wonderbolts with during their visit.

They apologized for the jar treatment they gave him, and Alex just found them too adorable to stay mad at for that.

In return for him being a good sport in letting her and her ponies hunt him, Celestia let Alex ride her and he had her parade through both Canterlot and Ponyville, earning a lot of surprised looks from her subjects.

*****

Several days later...

There was a gentle knocking on Alex's door as he was sitting in his kitchen, enjoying his morning breakfast. Quickly finishing up his plate, he made his way for the front door and opened it. He was surprised to find Lyra standing there, wearing what appeared to be a sun hat.

“Oh! Hey Lyra...” he wasn't too thrilled about seeing her, especially after what she did. Despite the fact that she, along with Bon Bon, had apologized for it more than once, he hadn't really forgiven her for it.

“Hi Alex...”

“And what brings little Miss 'Body-snatcher' to my home?” he asked coldly while crossing his arms.

“I suppose I had that coming...”

“Yes you did.”

“Look Alex... I'm really sorry for what I did. I don't understand why you're still mad at me. I apologized along with everypony else.”

“You did, yes...” Alex frowned. “But what you did was worse...”

“I know...” Lyra hung her head in shame.

“You made me into a GIRL!”

“I'm really REALLY sorry about that! Please! Please forgive me!”

Alex couldn't help but mentally chuckle as he found her apologies rather cute and amusing. He had actually forgiven long time ago, only not out loud. He just wanted her to suffer a bit more.
In the end, he decided to give her a break. “Anyway, what brings you here?”

“A peace-offering. I want to invite you to join Bon Bon and me for a bite to eat at Sugarcube Corner. My treat.”

“Really?”

“I've been a terrible pony, and I really want to make amends.” she slowly trotted over to him and lowered her head. “Please? Give me a chance to make things properly right between us.”

Alex's heart nearly melted, hearing the soft pleading sound in her voice. She sounded very sincere. He slowly lowered his hands and gently stroke her mane. “There there... It's alright.”

“I can't believe how foalish I acted. You have every right to hate me!” she hiccuped. Alex stroke her mane some more.

“I said it's fine Lyra. No one got hurt, that's what's important.”

“I was a mule! A silly nag! A- A little lower please?”

“Huh? Oh! Sure...” Alex moved his hand and stroke her back. This action made her to purr.

“Mm~! Where was I..? Oh yeah! I was a really pin head! A real-”

“It's okay Lyra. I-” Alex suddenly realized something. “Hey! Wait a minute!” He quickly pulled his hand away. Lyra still purred for a moment before noticing he had stopped.

“Aww... Why did you stop?”

“You sneaky little... You came here for this, didn't you?” he accusingly held up his hand. Lyra was silent for a moment before blushing violently.

“Um... Squee! Well... You do have such good hands...” Alex was about to close the door on her before she stopped him, struggling to keep it open with her magic. “Wait! I admit it! That was wrong of me, I know! But I AM inviting you out for a bite to eat! HONEST!”

“Yeah right!” answered Alex while still trying to push the door shut. “You don't fool me! You want my hands!”

“That's... NOT entirely un-true! I-”

“Hey Lyra!” Lyra turned and saw Bon Bon approach. “Well? Have you asked him y-?” She then noticed what Lyra was doing. “Lyra..? You didn't...”

“Ehm...” Lyra blushed. Bon Bon sudden arrival surprised Lyra, causing her to lose focus and allowing Alex to close and lock the door.

Bon Bon groaned and facehoofed. “Honestly Lyra...” She stepped up, pushed Lyra away from the door and knocked on it. “Alex? It's Bon Bon. We would like to invite you out for lunch at Sugarcube Corner and get to know eachother better. Peacefully. Right Lyra?”

“Right!”

Alex unlocked the door and slowly opened it, just enough to peer through the crack. Aside from Lyra, Bon Bon seemed to be the more collected one but he didn't take any chances. “How do I know you're not just trying to trick me?”

“You don't...” Bon Bon frowned at Lyra for a second. “Which is why if you say no, we'll leave you alone and never bother you again. I'll even arrange a restraining order.”

Lyra gave Bon Bon a shocked expression. 'You wouldn't..!'

'I would!' Bon Bon glared at her.

A few seconds passed before Alex finally opened the door and came out. “Alright...” He looked at Bon Bon. “But only because you asked so nicely.”
He then gave Lyra a momentary glare. “Just keep her in check!”

“I will.” Bon Bon winked. “And don't worry. Lyra is weird but she means well.”

“It's true!” said Lyra as she pranced up next to him, hugging his leg. “I promise I'll behave.” She then let go and reached out her hoof. “Come! Let's go to Sugarcube Corner. Give me your hand. I'll lead th-” She quickly retracted her hoof and blushed. “I'm sorry...”

Alex sighed and rolled his eyes. “It's fine.” He held out his hand and Lyra, hesitant at first, slowly wrapped her hoof around it. “Lead the way then.” Lyra smiled and giggled like a happy little filly. Bon Bon merely rolled her eyes and went ahead, while keeping a close eye just in case.

“I'm glad you want to give us a chance.” said Lyra. “I just know we'll be the best of friends.”

“Yeah...” answered Alex, trying not feel to awkward about the idea of holding a pony's hoof. He guessed he should be thankful that she was purely interested in his hands and not just his body. Which reminded him...
“By the way Lyra... When you and I were... together...” He coughed. “I was AWARE the WHOLE time.”

“The... whole time? Wait... Even when I..?”

“The... WHOLE... TIME...”

Lyra's cheeks turning bright red. “Oh... Well... Cough! I... I don't know what else to say...” she giggled nervously while rubbing the back of her head. “When a girl's gotta go-”

“I REALLY don't want to talk about it...” Alex hid his embarrassment. “It's awkward enough as it is...”

“Right... Squee!” Lyra then nervously rubbed her foreleg. Alex gave her a questionable look until he again noticed the hat.

“What's with the hat? It isn't THAT sunny.”

Lyra bit her lip. “I... visited Zecora a few days ago... I wanted to apologize for my actions. She would only forgive me on ONE condition...” She took off her hat and revealed that her ears had become donkey ears.

Alex saw the ears and snickered. “Wow! That... That's really cute.” Lyra only blushed. Alex then burst out laughing.

“That's what you get for acting like a complete JACKASS!”

THE END

Get Him!

by TJHoofer

Prologue: Only in the Everfree...

Chapter 1: The Greatest Discovery

Chapter 2: The Great Apple Chase

Chapter 3: Endangered Species

Chapter 4: Good Bye Human Party

Chapter 5: Trapped in Fashion

Chapter 6: Color of Deception

Chapter 7: Taste the Rainbow

Chapter 8: Pies and Jokes

Chapter 9: Cutie Troubles

Chapter 10: Chicken Run

Chapter 11: Rhyme or Reason

Chapter 12: Dash and Lexy

Chapter 13: Hot Spot

Chapter 14: Royal Display

Chapter 15: Sibling Rivalry

Chapter 16: The Great Human Hunt

Twilight Wins

Applejack Wins

Rarity Wins

Rainbow Dash Wins

Fluttershy Wins

The CMC Wins

Pinkie Pie Wins

Luna Wins

Celestia Wins

Bonus Ending