Chapter 1

Ponies meet Boy Part 1
By Stoltzy

All was as it usually was at peace in Equestria. Discord had been stopped and recovery was coming along nicely as what had happened that day had only become some bad memories. What was different this day however was that the residents of Ponyville were to have a new Pony among them. A few miles away from ponyville there was a slow moving wagon making its way down the road. It was an old looking but stable wagon that sort of looked like a moving carriage. This pony was fairly large, only slightly shorter then the likes of Big Macintosh, he wasn't particularly muscular more along the lines of slightly heavy. Even so, this pony was strong enough to pull that big thing all by himself. The pony was a deep dark blue from his head down to his hooves, his mane was brown, short and kinda messy. His cutie mark was an open book being written with a quill. On his face he wore a pair of glasses which along with his deep blue eyes portrayed a neutral look on his face while he just looked straight ahead of him.

"I hope I can find the right place." The pony thought to himself, "I hope it ain't too far away either, this thing is a royal pain in the ass to pull." He tilted his head back and forth making barely audible cracking noises. He had been pulling that cart for a long time and he was getting tired.

Awhile later as he still walked he looked around at the scenery. It was very nice to see. Beautiful landscape and hills, birds cherping, a clear and sunny sky, and little crooks and rivers here and there. He smiled alittle seeing it all. Appreciating the scenery was basically all he could do as he pulled that big cart behind him. In the distance he began to see a large barn. At first he didn't pay that much attention to it. This pony was quite used to seeing barns along the roads he traveled. As he got closer though he noticed something different about it.

"An apple farm?" He thought out loud. "Sweet Apple Acres............Interesting........... Never saw an apple farm before." He had stopped to look at the farm alittle when he came to where the road branched off leading to it. Never having seen one before it interested him alittle. As he looked some gurgling had begun to erupt.

"Oh bloody hell." He said outloud.

"You hungry partner?"

"WHAT THE HELL!?" He jumped as he heard the voice. He did NOT expect anyone around. He looked around trying to find the source of the voice.

"I didn't spook ya did I?" He looked towards the farm and saw an orange blond pony approach him from down the road.

The male pony sighed with a hint of annoyance. "You certainly did."

"Mighty sorry about that. I couldn't help but ask since I could year yur tummy all the way from here." She said in a country accent as she walked closer to him pulling a cart of her own.

"I see." said the male pony

"You new round these parts? I've never seen you here before." she asked.

"Why yes I am." the pony responded with his low masculine voice. "I am just coming to move in today actually."

"Well howdy then stranger." she pulled her cart so she was right next to the blue pony. She extended a hoof towards him. "Name's Applejack. A pleasure to make your acquaintance."

The male pony proceeded to shake her hoof. "Blueben, nice to meet you to."

"Are you really just moving in today?"

"Yep, why do you think I have the huge freaking cart behind me?" He said motioning towards his load.

They both then started walking towards Ponyville all the while chatting and getting to know eachother.

"Where are you from anyway?" Applejack asked him.

"I am from somewhere in The Midwest. A tiny town called Waterbridge."

"I never heard of that town before."

"I would have been suprised if you did." he replied chuckling

"What do ya do for a livin?" She asked looking at his cutie mark.

"I'm a writer."

"Nice, what all have you written?"

"Some short stories, some poetry, something out of the ordinary here and there. I AM however thinking about writing a novel. I just haven't had the time to get to it lately."

Applejack laughed alittle, "I know a certain who probably wouldn't mind readin' it."

"And who would that be?" Blueben asked.

"A friend of mine named Twilight Sparkle." Applejack responded. "TOTAL bookworm. I have a safe feeling she would be interested to see what all you've got."

"I think I have most of what I have written in my cart." He looks at the smaller cart Applejack is pulling. "What is your cart for? What do you do for a living?"

"Didn't that farm give it away smartguy? My family grows apples on that farm. I am taking this into town to sell some apples. That's why I asked if you were hungry earlier. Your stomach rumbled pretty loudly."

The male pony shrugged. "I haven't eaten in awhile is all. I have been pulling this bloody thing all day."

He looked at her cart more closely seeing all the apples and apple like things painted all over it. "Do you sell JUST apples?"

"Anything you can think that's made from apples I've got. Would you like to try somethin? An apple friter or a piece of apple pie?"

"Just a regular apple will do me just fine." He detaches him self from the front of his cart and starts to open the side door into it. "Just give me a second and I'll find some money to pay you with."

"No need to do that Blueben." Applejack said waving her hoof dismissingly. "Since your new in town I'll let you have your first few apples for free."

"You sure about that?" Blueben asked. "I don't wanna be a free loader."

"No worries partner." She said tossing Blueben a big and juicy red apple. "Consider it my welcome to you from Ponyville."

"Thanks." He said as he started reattaching himself to the cart. Before long the two were entering into the streets of Ponyville. It was alive with various ponys of many colors going about their daily business and routine happy as can be. Blueben looked around at all the buildings and shops he saw. He shook his head alittle when he saw a store that sold ONLY quils and couches.He didn't see much of a point in that.

When they reached the square Applejack started to get her stand set up. "This is where I stop partner. You interested in any more apples?"

"Nah Applejack. I'm good." Blueben replied shaking his head slightly.

"What all you plan on doin today?"

"Getting moved in if that wasn't obvious. I have a house on other side of town. I've got alot of work to do. What about you?"

"Just workin at my stand here. If you like I can help you get settled in after I'm done for the day."

"That'd be great thanks."

"What house are you moving into?"

A big blue two-story house. You can't miss it.

"Alright. See ya later partner."

"Bye Applejack." With that Blueben resumed pulling his cart towards the other edge of town just as he was doing before. A block or so down the street he saw what looked like a building made entirely of sweets. It was pretty obvious what kind of business THIS was. Blueben's stomach growled alittle again. He had finished off the apple that Applejack gave him earlier but was sill hungry.

"I wonder what they all have in here." Blueben said to himself with a smile on his face as he entered the Bakery. He approached the counter and began looking at all the sweets behind the counter window. He had a wide smile on his face as he eyed all the cupcakes, muffins, and many other sweet delicacies that lined the shelves behind the window.

"Welcome to Sugarcube Corner sir." Blueben was greeted by a tall and kinda skinny stallion wearing a red and white stripped bow-tie, a baker's hat (?), and an apron. "What can I do for you?"

"This all looks so good...... It's difficult to choose." Blueben started thinking for a minute. "Do you have any doughnuts?"

"I think we have a batch being made right now. Let me check if they are ready for you." The orange stallion went to the doors next to the counter leading to the kitchen. "Pinkie Pie! Are those doughnuts ready to be set out yet"

"I just got them out Mr. Cake." A girly voice from the kitchen yelled back.

"We have a customer who just asked for them. Wait for a bit before you get them ready." Mr. Cake yelled again." "They just got done sir." Mr. Cake said turning towards Blueben. "What kind would you like?"

"I would like a whole dozen please. Half of them vanilla the other half chocolate."

"Half a batch white and half chocolate. Could yo get those frosted up while I ring him up please?" He yelled again towards the kitchen.

"Okie-dokie-loki!" The girly voice yelled back.

"That will be 12 bits please."

"Alright." Blueben then pulled out twelve bits and set them on the counter.

"This your first time here?" Asked Mr. Cake as he took the coins.

"Sure is. I am actually moving into town today."

"Well welcome to Ponyville sir!" He exclaimed as he shook Blueben's hoof.

"Oh wait! That reminds me. Can I get those doughnuts to go?"

"Sure you can." He turned towards the kitchen again. "Put those doughnut in a to go box Pinkie Pie!"

"Got it!" The girly voice yelled.

"I gotta say. This building is very well designed. Especially the sweets look outside. How did you do it?" Blueben inquired.

"We had some help from a few unicorns and some good old hard work. It took us awhile but we got it to work." Mr. Cake responded proudly.

"I see I see. Very interesting." Blueben said nodding inquisitively.

"Here are those doughnuts." said a certain pink pony as she set the box of doughnuts on the counter.

"Thank ya kindly." Blueben said taking the box and putting it inside a back pack slung to his side. He then turned back towards the counter and noticed that the pink pony was looking at him closely with narrow eyes.

"Hmmmmmmmm." she said as she stroked her chin with her hoof.

"Uhhhh........... hi there...... I'm Blueben....... " He said with a nervous smile.

Suddenly she gasped very loudly and ran up the nearby stairs.

Both Blueben and Mr. Cake just stared at the stairs for a few minutes.

"What the hay was that all about?" asked Blueben.

"I honestly couldn't tell you." he responded shrugging alittle. "Pinkie Pie is a bit of a wild child. You never knew what she is up to."
"O........k....... Well I better go. I got alot of moving in to do. Thank you for the doughnuts."

"You're welcome sir. Please come again soon."

Blueben then walked out of the bakery and continued making his way to his soon-to-be home.

**********

Hours later Applejack was making her way into town again with no cart to slow her down this time.

"Hey Applejack." a voice called.

"Oh, hello Twilight." responded Applejack after coming to a stop.

"What are you doing back in Ponyville? I though you closed your cart for the day."

"I did. I came back into town to help somepony."

"Who?"

"A new pony in town named Blueben. I met him this morning while I was bringing the stand into town. I agreed to help him move in since he didn't have any pony with him."

"You mean he's here by himself?" asked Twilight.

"Yeah. He was pullin this really big carriage all by himself but he didn't look like he was havin trouble with it. He's almost as big as Big Macintosh."

"Where does he live?"

"He said in a big blue house on the other end of town. Said I couldn't miss it."

Suddenly a huge flash of pink came into their view. It stopped BARELY soon enough to keep from running into them.

"Hey guys! Guys! Did you see the new pony in town? Did ya? Did ya huh? Did you see him?" shouted Pinkie Pie in her high pitched hyperactive voice.

"I did." Responded Applejack. "I met him on the road on my way into town this morning. Where did you see him?"

"He came into Sugarcube Corner today. Asked for a whole DOZEN of doughnuts. He talked with Mr. Cake a bit and then he left."

"A whole dozen huh? He must have been REALLY hungry then. I saw him passin by the farm and I could hear his stomach growlin from halfway down the road."

"He must have quite the sweet tooth aswell." chimed in Twilight.

"You guys wanna come with me to find his place? I'm sure he could use all the help he can get."

"Sure. I guess." Shrugged Twilight.

"Ooooooooo oooo! Then we could trow him big party for him! Help him get to know everypony in Ponyville, play some games, eat some cupcakes, SUPER PARTY!" Pinkie said jumping as the walked in the afternoon sun.

"It might be little early for that Sugarcube. He's only just moving in today. Plus I don't think he would want all of his stuff messed up."

"Why not?" Twilight asked.

"He mentioned that he was a writer while we were walkin into town. Said he was workin on writin' a new book."

"That's actually kinda cool." Said Twilight with a smile. "What all has he written so far?"

"He didn't say how far he was with that book. He just said that he wrote some poems and short stories."

"Well, if we're not gonna give him a party then what are we doin?" asked Pinkie Pie.

"I think we should just get to know him first, besides we can always have a party and introduce him to everypony later." Twilight told Pinkie.

Meanwhile, at his house Blueben already had alot his moving done. Stack after stack of boxes lined the walls of his living room. Small and medium sized furniture was also arranged so all that was left to do was bring in the big furniture and unpack. "Phew." said Blueben. "I think I am gonna take a break for a bit." With that he laid himself down onto his couch and placed large book called, "The Encyclopedia of Mythology" in front of him and started reading peacefully. After a few minutes of reading silently his break was interrupted with a knock at the door.

"Yes? Who is it?" Blueben yelled from his couch.

"It's Applejack. Is the door locked?" She shouted back.

"No, you can come in." Blueben yelled still reading his book.

The door opened with Applejack, Twilight Sparkle, and Pinkie Pie entering the room.

"Howdy partner." Applejack said waving her hoof towards Blueben.

"Hello again Applejack. How did your stand do today?" Blueben asked.

"It went alright. More importantly though let me introduce you to two wonderful friends of mine, Pinkie Pie and Twilight Sparkle."

"Nice to meet you Blueben." The purple unicorn extended her hoof.

Blueben shook hooves with Twilight. "A pleasure Ms. Sparkle."

"Hi again Blueben! You remember me right? Do ya? Huh?" She asked as she got her face mere inches from his jumping all the while.

"How could I forget the pony who gasped the minute I said hi to her?" Blueben said with a mix of nervousness and sarcasm.

"Well I had never seen you before so I looked at you and thought and thought and thought and then I realised you were new. I know EVERPONY in Ponyville and when I realised you were new I went GASP because I wanted so throw you an awesome supermega party and invite everpony in Ponyville since you you be new and would have no friends making you lonely and seeing you lonely would make me so sad, and at the party we would hang out, dance some kickin music, introduce you to Rarity, and Rainbow Dash, and Fluttershy, and Spike. Oh! You'd love Spike! He's been goin on and on about having no guy ponies to hang with but now that you're here he'd be exstatic!" These words came out at a rapid fire pace. Blueben's brain had a hard time keeping up but he still understood what she said. Suddenly she pounced onto Blueben hugging him tightly nearly making the couch fall backwards from the impact. "We're gonna be such AWESOME palls!"

Blueben's face was beat red at that point having the pink filly on top of him like that.

"Pinkie Pie!" scolded Twilight.

"No no,it's alright." Said Blueben timidly. "It's completely fine......... hehe." He slowly wrapped his front legs around her hugging her back lightly and patting her back.

"That's enough sugarcube. I think yur scarin 'im." Applejack said laughing alittle.

Pinkie Pie then got off from Blueben and stood back next to the others giving Blueben a sweet toothed smile.

Blueben still blushing smiled nervously back.

"How much have you gotten done with movin' in?" asked Applejack.

"I got alot of my stuff in already." Blueben responded. "All that I have left to do is get the big stuff brought in here and unpack everything. I was just about to take a break actually. You guys can hang out if you like before I get back to work. "

"Sure." Applejack said as she started looking what all was brought in already.

Blueben then continued silently reading his book turning the page w his hoof every few seconds.

"What book are you reading?" Twilight asked.

Blueben then closed he book, put it on the floor a slid it towards Twilight. "It's called the Encyclopedia of Mythology." Blueben explained. " It's a good book. If you're curious you can go right ahead and take a look at it."

"Oh no I don't wan to intteruppt your reading." Twilight said politely.

"No no go ahead. I've ad that book for years. I've read through of it more times than I can count."

"Ok." Twilight then laid herself on the floor, opened the large tome with her magic, and started reading.

"Oh! That reminds me. I'll be right back." Blueben said as he started making his towards the kitchen.

Pinkie Pie started scratching her head with her hoof and started scanning the room. he so wanted some thing to do since it had become so quite so quickly. She then felt something poking her back. She turned towards the poking was.

"Want some doughnuts?" Blueben asked with his words partially muffled by the box of doughnuts he was trying to hold in his mouth.

"Do I!?" She exclaimed.

After Blueben opened the box for her before she went and swiped two from the box eat them both instantaneously. He slide the box towards Twilight. "Want one?"

"Sure. Thank you." Twilight said as she used her magic to bring the treat to her mouth as still reading reading the book.

Blueben tapped Applejack on the shoulder. "Have a doughnut. Consider it my payment for that apple you gave earlier today."

"Don't mind if I do." She responded taking the doughnut from Blueben's hoof.

After he saw that all his guests had received some doughnuts he sat on the couch again. He set the box on the ground next to him, took few of the white frosted ones from the box and started eating them. While he was eating he looked out of the nearest window. He just stared silently out the window admiring how nice day it was. As looked at all the nearby houses and building studying them carefully. After only few seconds into his thoughts a strange sensation went up the young pony's spine. He turned slowly toward the others seeing only a pink face in his view. Pinkie Pie was still looking at him. Her face wasn't devious or particularly creepy..... just an innocent inquizitive look.

"You know Blueben." she said while chewing her food still. "You are REALLY quite."

"Yeah............. I just don't usually have a whole lot to say." Blueben responded. "I DO like to chat.....it's just........ I normally don't have that much talk about. I am sorry if I am boring you guys."

"Oh it's no trouble at all." Said Applejack walking towards him. "It's actually pretty nice to see a friendly face around here........." she hesitated for a second or two. "Especially after.......... what happened ten days ago."

"What happened ten days ago?" Blueben asked.

"Well......... I would have alot of trouble describin' it." Applejack said with a slightly scared look on her face.

"Yeah, it was REALLY crazy. Everypony was gathered in that big building in the town square right. We all just in there minding our own business when there was a loud rattling, a crash, smash and bang! Ponies gasped and......"

"I'll tell the story." Twilight said cutting Pinkie off mid sentence. "Like Pinkie said.........

*************

10 Days earlier.....

Everypony was gathered inside the town hall in the main square. They were all eagerly awaiting the arrival of Princess Celestia along with her sister Princess Luna, the later having not been seen since she was freed of the dark magic.

"I wonder what Luna will be like." Said a yellow pink maned pony, "I can only imagine being trapped on the moon for 1000 years. It must have been awful."

"I am sure she will ALOT better than when she was the last time we saw her." Responded Twilight. "The only thing I really hope for Fluttershy is that this goes better than the last time we tried holding a festival for Princes Celestia."

"Fillies and gentlecolts." Shouted the tan colored mayor pony. "It is my great honor and privilege to introduce to you our wonderful ruler Princess Celestia and the newly redeemed Princess Luna!"

The curtain on the very top balcony opened revealing the two alicorns to their subjects. The tall white rainbow maned Celestia stood waving her hoof alongside her younger indigo colored sister Luna who also waved.

The crowd cheered and clapped their hooves on the ground welcoming the pair in what many hoped to be a great celebration.

"Thank you Mayor." Celestia said with a grateful tune. A hush fell over crowd as she spoke "Thank you all for hosting this new celebration not only to commemorate the defeat of Discord but also the return of my dear sister Luna." The look on her face changed from one of happiness to one of stern determination. "I know alot has happened since the incident with Nightmare Moon and how much damage has been wrought from Discord's rampage, but I know for a FACT that with the cooperation of everypony here and ponies from ALL OVER Equestria that we will go forward better and stronger an before. Let not let this celebration be one of sadness and long faces but one of happiness and thankfulness for all the good times and memories this town has shared and the ones that will be made for the future!"

When her speech ended the crowd once again went wild cheering as loud as ever. Celestia's smile returned as she smiled at her sister. Luna with a single tear in her eye smiled back at Celestia.

"EVERPONY MAKE WAY!!" A voice shouted.

"Please move!!" a second had yelled.

As the crowd split in two, two guard ponies were frantically galloping into the hall.

"What is the meaning of this?" Luna yelled to the guards.

They both screetched to a sliding stop in front the balcony the royal sisters.

"F-f-f-f-f-.............. fo fo fo forgive me y-y-y-y-your highness." One of the guards stuttered."B-b-b-b-b-but......t-t-t-th.....t-t-t-here....." the guard continued to stutter uncontrollably without stopping. His face was drenched with sweat. His mouth quivered making his stuttering all the worse. He was in great terror.

"What is it?" Celestia asked with a calming tone. "What is it that has you two so terrified?"

"W-w-w-w-w-w-w-wee-e-e-ll-l-l-l....." the second guard's stuttering was worse than that of his companion. "Th-th -th -there........is..." The guard tried to speak but suddenly found himself unable to speak at all. He tried as hard as he could to say more but all that came out was tiny squeeks.

"Wow....... talk about hardcore." said a certain light blue Pegasus with a rainbow mane. "I couldn't even get those guys to move let alone say anything.......What could have done that to them?"

"I don't know Rainbow Dash." responded Twilight. "I don't think ANYPONY has seen royal guard this scared before."

"For God sake GET ON WITH IT YOU MUMBLING IDIOTS!!" roared a voice from outside overflowing with rage. Suddenly a loud slam was heard as the doors violently flew in from towards the entrance. All of ponies in the hall dove for the ground as the doors shattered into tiny splinters against the pillars beneath the balcony. Everypony started screaming and clattering wondering what was going on.

"What in tarnation!!" yelled Applejack as she raised her head back up.

All went silent again as they all heard something slam their foot onto the tiled floor. They all looked towards the entrance. Time seemed to go excrutiatingly slow as a figure of unfamiliar shape raised its foot from where it stomped a small crater. The figure walked slowly into the light. It stood on two legs, was about 6 feet tall, broad shouldered, and was covered head to toe in black. His face was shrouded under a black cloth hood. The torso of his jacket was black jeans with long cloth sleeves that was loose around the arms but tight around the wrists. The figure also wore black jean pants with pitch dark shoes. The strangest part of all though was what was attatched to his hands, wrists, and back. On all ten of his fingers he wore rings bearing strange symbols all of them colored either red, black, or yellow. Around each of his wrists were loose metal rings. Attatched to each of those were five chains. All of them hung and swayed behind his arms whereas there opposite ends were....... somehow someway IN his back. He continued slowly walking to the balcony. Eventhough the room was full of light not a single pony in the room could see most of his face. All that COULD be seen was from below the top of his nose. He had what looked like a stream of blood trickling from his mouth and dripping onto the floor from his chin.

Most of the ponies in the room backed themselves as far as they could away from the figure. Twilight and her friends just stared at him as he walked by. The only sounds in the room that could be heard was his footsteps. Other than that it was as silent as death.

When the terrible figure felt he was close enough to the balcony he stopped and looked upward towards the stern looking princesses.

"Sorry about the door." The figure said with a sarcastic and disrepectful tone. "I WOULD have these cowardly fools you call guards say this for me but since they can't control their own fear I thought I might aswell say it myself."

"What do you want?" asked Celestia with an eyebrow raised.

"I simply wish to have a private audience with you." the figured replied, "I wish to discuss the possibility of you alowing me to temporarily reside in this beautiful world of yours. I want to discuss details and terms with you two alone."

"Is that ALL you came here for?" asked Luna angrily "Is that the only reason you just HAD to interrupt our festival so rudely?"

"Well, I WOULD have had the guards say it more politely for me but as I already pointed out....." he said motioning towards the cowering guards. "They are soooooooo incompetant."

The two sisters looked at eachother for awhile before nodding in agreement.
"If that is all you ask then we will meet with you when the festivities are over and not a second before then." Celestia said while she trotted closer to the railing of the balcony. "And next time. If you wish to speak with us you ask WITHOUT terrifieing my subjects."

"Of course dear princesses." Then the figure bowed mockingly and spit a decent sized splatter of the red liquid onto the ground infront of the balcony. He turned around and began to walk away but he turned his head towards the guards once again. He looked briefly at the floor near them.
"Tsk tsk tsk." The figure said waving his finger at the guards before loudly saying, "Look what you two have done to this BEAUTIFUL floor!" He pointed at the yellow puddle that had formed under the guards who were still shaking and quivering. When he saw all the ponies looking in the guards' direction he laughed. It has a high pitched insane laugh that disurbed just about everyone who heard it. "I am going to have so much fun here! You equines REALLY know how to treat guests and make them smile." The figure smiled a wide and evil grin towards the crowd making them shake even more.

"That's enough you bully!" Rainbow Dash shouted flapping her wings making her float towards the figure.
"Rainbow Dash please don't do it....." whispered Flutterhy.
She planted herself onto the ground about 5 feet from the figure.
"You come and stroll in here like you own the whole place like a jerk and expect us to welcome you!? What in the HAY gives you the right to......"
A loud CLANG echoed through the room. Rainbow dash found herself a few steps farther from him then she remembered standing. She looked towards the ground and jumped at what she saw. There was a dagger with its blade sticking into the ground. It had BARELY missed her chest and landed right under her four legs.
"Nobody gives me the right....." he muttered his arm still extended from when he threw the dagger. "I........... take it."

Chapter 2

View Online

Ponies meet Boy Part 2

"Brrrrrrrrr……….. Sounds spooky." Blueben responded while having an intense chill work its way up his spine. "What happened after that?"

"After he said that he just walked straight out of the door without uttering another word." Responded Twilight.

"And that varmint expects the Princesses to welcome him with open hooves after how he acted. Humph!" Applejack said after slumping onto the couch next to Blueben. "I hope I never see that wrangly monster again."

"The thing is though.." Twilight said with her hoof at her chin. "Princess Celestia still agreed to meet with him despite how he acted."

"Not to disrespect The Princess but she said that before he tried to kill Rainbow Dash!" Applejack retorted.

"Even so, she agreed to meet with him as he had asked and I know she would never go back on her word." Twilight said looking towards Applejack. "She must have had a good reason for it."

"Well no one 'round here has seen 'im sense and GOOD riddance!"

"And look what WE got instead!" Pinkie exclaimed pointing at Blueben.

"Please don't do that again…….." He said visibly embarrassed. Then he looked at a nearby clock. After seeing the time he stretched himself out and got off the couch. "Looks like break time is over for me ladies. I gotta get back to work."

"What all do you have left to do?" asked Twilight.

"Like I said before I just have to get the big stuff in my moving cart in here and unpack. After that I'm done moving in." He said as he started walking through the boxes to the door.

"Hey, wait up Blueben." Applejack shouted to him getting up. "Let me help ya."

"You know you don't have to help me right?" Blueben asked giving Applejack a confused look.

"I SAID I'd help ya remember? Besides, nopony should start in someplace new all by themselves."

"She's right!" Pinkie added putting herself in front of Blueben again. "I still need to throw you a party."

"Thanks I guess......." Blueben said looking around awkwardly. He then turned and smiled smugly towards Applejack. "If you're so eager to help me then are you ready to do some hard work? I got some pretty heavy stuff back there."

"Pfffffffff, you kiddin'? Movin ponies in is nothing. You shoulda seen me during applebuck season last year. THAT was hard work." Applejack replied smiling smugly back.

"We'll see about that now won't we?" Blueben said chuckling.

"Hey wait." Twilight said placing a bookmark in the book she had borrowed. "I'll help out to."

"Think you could handle it little lady?" asked Blueben.

"I got my magic on my side. It won't be a problem." Twilight responded joining the group.

"Ok." Blueben said as he shrugged. "The more the merrier I suppose." Blueben then led the way to where he had parked his cart. It looked pretty big for one pony to pull. It was large, brown, and wide enough to fit ten ponies inside of it in a row across it. Strangely though despite it being obviously a moving carriage it had absolutely no writing on it whatsoever. No label, no company logo, no nothing.

"Where did you get this?" Twilight asked noticing how it was completely blank on the outside.

"A friend of mine from back home gave it to me after he heard that I was moving." Blueben said while opening the back door of the carriage. Inside of it were several house furnishings. Couches, tables, a desk, a few podiums, and even parts for a large bookshelf sitting next to a very big stack of books. It was a lot of stuff. "Let's get started."
The four ponies worked hard for a good while that day. While Blueben and Applejack carried in the couches and tables with nothing but their backs, Twilight uses her magic to telekinetically take things into the house where Blueben tells her he wants them. She personally volunteered to assemble his bookcase and organize his books. Pinkie Pie spent the whole time............ simply being Pinkie Pie while she helped them out. As Twilight organized Blueben's book she couldn't help but notice some strange things...........

"Hey Blueben." Called Twilight.

"What's up?" he asked walking to Twilight who was sitting next to his now assembled bookshelf.

"What's this book all about?" She brought the book closer to Blueben. The title read, "The Serial Killer Files" Right on the cover with an eerie blurred display of various ponies' faces in the background.

"Oh yes. That book." Responded Blueben taking the book with his hoof and putting it on the shelf. "Some time ago I was thinking of a character to add to one of my stories. I wanted to make him an especially villainous character so I bought this book as a reference guide for ways I could make the character be scarier. I would NOT recommend this book for the faint of heart. It gets pretty nasty to say the least." He put it on the highest shelf on the bookcase. "I don't want some youngin' getting their hooves on this so I would appreciate it if you would just leave it on the very top shelf."

"And another thing........." Twilight said looking at him. "About that book you gave me earlier. I was wondering if you would let me borrow that for a while."

"Sure you can, just as long as nothing bad happens to it. That book was very hard to find." Blueben told Twilight before heading back to work. Twilight took another look at the book she asked him about. Then she went straight back to what she was doing before. After a while just about everything had been moved in. Applejack and Blueben entered the back of the moving carriage to get started with the last load of stuff. Blueben went to one side of the carriage where all that was left were a pair of shining wooden end tables waiting to be moved. Blueben picked them up and set them outside with the upmost care. Just as he was about to bring them in Applejack called to him.

"What do you want me to do with these?" Blueben looked at where Applejack was standing.

She was pointing at ten large metallic cases that lined the furthest back wall of the carriage. They all had a large number of locks on them, each one bearing a strange symbol of a different color. While Applejack didn't know what any of what those symbols meant she noticed what each one was colored. One red, one orange, one yellow, one green, a second identical green symbol with a star in it, one blue, one indigo, one a violet pink, one black, and one white. Most of them were about the same size except for the case bearing the indigo symbol. That particular case was very tall. It almost reached to the ceiling of the carriage.

"Oh yeah.......... those............ " Blueben said with a sigh. "These are extremely delicate items. I don't want to bring them in until after we get everything unpacked and set up."

"What exactly are they?" asked Applejack scratching her head.

"I couldn't really tell you." Blueben shrugged at Applejack. "A guy I worked for told me to keep these. He never told me what they were."

"And you never opened them?"

"He told me they were delicate. I didn't want to risk anything with them until I got fully moved in. He kinda.......... thrusted these at me just before I started planning on moving here."

"Well that's weird." Applejack said, "Why do you think he would do that?"

"Hay if I know." Blueben shrugged again.

"Well if these things are so delicate then we can't be too careful now can we?" Applejack said getting out of the carriage.

"Indeed." Blueben responded as he followed her. As Applejack walked back into the house Blueben turned around and tightly locked up the carriage behind him.

Pinkie Pie was bouncing all over the living room peaking at all the boxes that had been brought in. She picked one up began studying it carefully. As she looked at it she had a curious look on her face............. It would have been a much more serious expression if she didn't have her tongue sticking out as she did it. "I wonder what's in this one........" she said as she slightly shook the box.
"I would love it if you would please stop doing that." Blueben told Pinkie Pie with concern.
"Why?" She asked.

Blueben took the box from her and opened it up. It contained various soaps and cleaning products plus a toothbrush, deodorant, and a comb. "It has all of my toiletries in it." Blueben then reclosed the box and took it up a nearby flight of stairs. Pinkie Pie followed him for some reason. Curiosity, playfulness, a need to stalk a Colt like a little pony creeper? Nopony could tell you for sure. Regardless though, as Blueben was setting all of the essentials into theire proper places in the bathroom he heard Pinkie shouting something.

"Look at this awesome room!!"

Blueben raised his eyebrow and walked to where he had heard the shouting come from. Pinkie Pie was bouncing for joy as she looked through a nearby door. Blueben looked inside over her shoulder. The room was very big, bigger than anypony would expect one room to be in a house this size. It already had a large mirror in it across from the door and had a large closet area behind what looked like old sliding doors.

"This room would be perfect for a party room!" Pinkie Pie said as she walked in.

"A party room? Really?" inquired Blueben.

"Yeah, oh you could fit soo much stuff in here. You could put a buffet area over there with cupcakes, rolls, cookies, some hay fries. OH! And here would could put a LIFE SIZED pin the tail on the pony poster. Oh oh oh! And THIS could be where you could out a kickin' sound system. Play some swingin' music. Put a dance floor here with some lights over it. Then we could dance and party ALL we wanted. I have this one dance move that I have GOT to show you. You ever heard of the moon trot? It's so awesome! Watch watch watch!" After her rapid fire speech she began demonstrating the dance move she just described all across the floor of the room.

But Blueben paid no attention to that. His own mind was deep in thought. He had his own ideas for the room. "Yes." Blueben thought to himself. "This would be the perfect place to house those things. I could replace that closet over there with a giant steel door. Put some locks on it, some needing keys others needing something electronic. Yes, this room would be perfect." With a smile and a nod Blueben started to exit the room. But at the last second he turned around to see Pinkie Pie still trying to perform that dance move she tried to tell him about. "And people back home think I'M weird." He thought to himself with a chuckle.
"So............. Pinkie Pie........." Blueben asked trying to be more friendly to the odd pony.
"Yeah?" responded Pinkie stopping her dancing.

"Do you really know everypony in Ponyville?" Blueben asked.

"Sure do. There isn't anypony in Ponyville I don't know." Pinkie confirmed cheerfully.

Blueben thought that this might actually be of some use to him. As odd and as slightly annoying as she was Blueben thought that it would just be too mean to dismiss her so quickly. Maybe he would even start to actually like her after a while. Besides, meeting as many ponies with her as he can might be of some help getting used to his new environment.

"Well in that case I would like to maybe go on a little stroll with you through Ponyville and meet some of your other friends. Since I'm new here and all." Blueben said with a smile.

"That's a great idea!!" She bounced clapping her hooves. "But before we do meet me at Sugarcube corner again after a couple of hours. I want you meet Gummy."

"Gummy?" Blueben asked eyebrow raised.

"My cute little pet alligator." Pinkie responded.

Blueben's jaw dropped and a look of confusion had bombed its way onto his face. "Seriously? A pet alligator? You're joking right?"

"Nope." said Pinkie with a smile.

Blueben shook his head trying to gather himself. "An alligator????" He thought to himself. "A freaking pet ALLIGATOR?! That has to be some kind of joke!" Blueben imagined the scene in his mind. He imagined Pinkie Pie's room or at least how he thought it would be. Everything in it pink, the bed, the sheets, the furniture, the carpet. Pink pink pink everywhere the eye could see. But in the middle of this whole mess of pink sat a large......... green.......... ghastly looking................. hungry sounding alligator just WAITING for its next meal. Blueben was shocked at the image in his mind to put it mildly. This mare was weird he could tell but THIS took it to a totally different level.

"He LOVES meeting new ponies." Pinkie told Blueben as she walked past him down the stairs. "I can't wait!" She seemed to bounce with glee from the anticipation of the arrangement she had just made.

Blueben still stood motionless. Still shocked at the idea that such a tiny and harmless looking creature would house such an enormous and dangerous one right in her own home. After a few minutes he only then noticed that Pinkie had left the room. Regrouping himself in his mind he trotted back down the stairs. The first thing he did once he got down the stairs was opening boxes. He looked at each box he opened and looked it over briefly before deciding to either set the box near the stairs or put its contents away right downstairs. He put all of his spices and cooking supplies into the kitchen, he put small furnishings like blankets, rugs, and throw pillows either in his bedroom or on his furniture. He put all of his papers and writing materials in the drawers next to his desk he set up in what he had dubbed as his makeshift study room which was right next to the living room.

"Ooooooooo what's this?" Pinkie Pie asked holding up a strange object. It was shiny like new and mostly flat. She started messing around with it and found the she could open it up. Inside the fold of the shiny metallic object she saw a whole bunch of different buttons arranged in a strange looking fashion. Most of them had letters on them while others bore all sorts of symbols. On the other side she saw what looked like some kind of screen.

"Don't touch that!" Blueben yelled swiping the object from her hooves.

"Well why not?" asked Pinkie who was trying to reach for it.

"It has a lot of personal and private things of mine stored in it and I don't want you pokin' around in there." Blueben told her keeping the shiny object out of her reach.

"Oh come on all I saw were all those buttons on it. What are all those for?" she asked him while trying to reach for the object as hard as she could.

"I am not gonna tell you that." Blueben replied sternly putting the strange object somewhere safe. "Regardless…………. Do. Not. Touch. It."

"This place is comin along mighty fine partner." Applejack commented looking at the now cleaned up and fully done up home.

"Indeed it is." Remarked Blueben planting himself next to Applejack.

"Alrighty, I guess now would be a good time to get those crates you told me about moved in now that everything else is done." She had started once again walking towards where the moving carriage was.

"No no no! That won't be necessary Applejack!" Blueben said stopping her as fast as he could. "I'll take care of that by myself."

"You sure about that sugarcube?" asked Applejack. "There was a lot of them in there and one of 'um looked pretty big.......... are you sure you could handle carryin' those on your own?"

"Of course." Responded Blueben. "Don't you worry about a thing. I can take care of those no problem."

"Alright, if you say so." Applejack said.

"Thanks a lot for the help guys." Blueben said to them with a bow. "I apologize if I seemed really tense. It's just being in a whole new place new with new ........... uhhh ponies around so having some help getting the laborious part done means a lot.

"Always happy to help somepony in need, Blueben." Responded Twilight.

"Well..........." Blueben went over to the door and held it open for his guests. "I guess I'll see you all later."

"See ya later Blueben. Thanks for the doughnut." Applejack said walking out of the door.

"Thanks for letting me borrow the book. I'll try to get it back to you as soon as I can." Twilight said putting the book into her carrying case.

"Oh it's no trouble at all. As long as you treat it right keep it as long as you need it." Blueben told her.

"Thanks again. Bye Blueben. Have a good day." Twilight said as she too walked out of the door.

"Now don't you forget about our meeting ok?" Pinkie said poking Blueben's face with her hoof.

"Meet you at Sugarcube corner in a few hours……." Blueben gulped alittle bit. "To meet your pet alligator before we explore Ponyville. I got it." Blueben smiled nervously his ears pointing backwards.

"Yay! Well, I'll see you then!" Pinkie Pie said excitedly following Twilight out of the door.

After the door closed Blueben went to his window. He watched the three mares as they walked away from his new home. After they were far enough away Blueben emerged from his door and once again trotted over to his moving carriage. He unlocked it and climbed inside. One by one he carried the mysterious metal cases into his house, up the stairs, and into the closet area of the large room Pinkie Pie had found earlier. The metal on the cases shined brightly in the midday sun making the colored symbols on them all the more apparent to anypony who would look at them. Thankfully for Blueben none of the other ponies in any of the nearby homes were watching him too closely. After he had carried all of the crates into the large room he arranged them in an orderly fashion. On the farthest left he set the crate with the black symbol on it, followed by the one with the crimson red symbol, then the orange, then yellow, the two greens, the blue, the indigo, the pinkish violet, and then finally the white on the other end. After he was done arranging them he tightly closed the closet. Blueben stood back and looked calmly at the closed closet. With a wave of his hoof numerous white locks appeared on the closet door out of nowhere. As if guided by an invisible hand every single lock that appeared clicked, hooked, set, beeped, and turned letting Blueben know that it was secure. Nopony would be able to open it with anything short of a nuclear weapon if even that. With a sigh he smiled at the door and the locks he had just conjured satisfied with his work. He looked at the mirror next to the doors and beheld his pony form. He just sat there... silently looking at himself in the mirror with no expression on his face at all. Suddenly, Blueben felt enormous pain ringing through his head. He knelt down onto the floor clinging his head in intense pain. Sweat began to run down his face. His teeth clenched and grinded against themselves. Blueben's breathing quickened as he began to panic amidst all the pain.
"Shut up......." Blueben whispered. "Shut up......... shut up......... SHUT UUUUUUUUUUP!!!" With that final yell the pain had gone from him. The sweat was still running down his face and his breathing was slowly returning to normal. He swayed slowly one way then the next as he tried to stand back up. After fully regaining his composure he looked briefly at the secured closet and then at the mirror. His eyes widened as he quickly turned his back towards both.

"Look you......." Blueben spoke slowly. "I don't like this whole situation any more than you do but like it or not you're stuck with me. I'm the one in charge of you now so you better get used to it! Some of you I know mean no harm and I apologize for all of this but I know which ones among you DO mean harm. You aren't gonna get to run around free to cause chaos like you used to and as long as I am in charge of you never will you be able to do so again! I hope I have made myself crystal clear." Blueben then started walking out of the room taking note of the numerous pairs of eyes staring at him.........which ones were looks of concern.......... and which ones were looks of hate.

************

"Wooooooowy, nothing like some good old fashioned work to help another pony." Applejack commented as the three mares made their way home.

"Yeah. He seemed like a very interesting colt." Commented Twilight.

"He seemed pretty nice if kinda grouchy." Pinkie Pie said.

"That might be because of how you jumped on him sugarcube. Did you even see the look on his face. He was as red as one of my apples." Applejack told her while giggling.

"Well... When I found that shiny thing in one of his boxes he kinda freaked about it." Pinkie Pie explained. "Twilight, do you know what that was?"

"I really coundn't tell you Pinkie Pie." Responded Twilight. "But he did say he kept some personal things on it. He might have been embarrassed or shy about you having found it."

"Oh well, that doesn't matter anyway. Him and I are gonna be meeting up later so I can give him a tour of Ponyville." Pinkie Pie said jumping again.

"It's good that he's trying to meet ponies. Unlike a certain other new pony that we had." Applejack joked poking Twilight.

"I thought I already explained that to you." Twilight retorted. "I was really concerned about Nightmare Moon. I wasn't exactly in the mood to be making friends. But now that I look back I'm really glad to have met you guys."

"Aw shucks Twilight." Applejack said smiling.

Twilight after laughing alittle thought to herself for a minute. Then using her magic she pulled out the book that Blueben had let her borrow. She looked at it with a serious look on her face.

"What is it Twi?" Asked Applejack concerned. "Is something up?"

"Nothing's wrong Applejack........" Twilight responded. "It's just that all the stories in this book were really foreign to me. When I asked Blueben about what was in here he told me that this book had various references to famous stories and myths from around the world. There were a lot of books similar to this one in the library at Canterlot and not a single one of them had any of these stories in them." Twilight then placed the large book back in her bag. "I plan on doing some research and see if I can find anything that can tell me something about the stories told in this book. What do you guys plan on doing?"

"I'm headin back to the farm." Said Applejack. "I need to check in on all the spare apples I have left from market today. Which ones to throw away. The usual."

"I gotta get ready to meet up with Blueben." She stopped for a minute then GASPED loudly once again as a lightbulb went off in her mind.

"Are you thinking what I think you're thinking Pinkie Pie?" Asked Twilight.

"Shhhhhhhh." Pinkie Pie said. She looked around and then motioned to the others to come closer. They did so and huddled around Pinkie.

"I have got the PERFECT surprise for Blueben!" She exclaimed before whispering to her friends about her new plan.

Chapter 3

View Online

Ponies meet Boy Part 3

Blueben exited the large empty room slamming the door as hard as he could behind him. Without even looking back he waved his hoof at the door. Just as he had done with the door before it several small locks appeared and locked into their places once again assuring Blueben that the contents he had placed inside not too long ago were secure. The difference this time however was that instead of a steady white glow that the previous locks gave off these gave a distinct green glow. After he went down the stairs he tried his best to get what he had just experienced out of his head. He then remembered the plans he had made with Pinkie Pie to meet some of the ponies around town. He looked at his clock and breathed a sigh of disappointment when he realized it had only been about ten minutes since his guests had left. He went over to the kitchen to grab the box of doughnuts he had bought that day. He was pleasantly surprised to find that there were still some in the box. He went over to the couch and set the box where he had had them before. After he had set them down he walked over to his study and retrieved the object Pinkie had tried to get her hooves on earlier.

"Thank God I got THIS away from her when I did." He picked up the object and set it down on the couch. "If she had managed to actually LOOK at it………That would not have been good……." He winced at the thought of what that weird mare would have found if she DID manage to get ahold of it and found out how it worked. Especially what she might stumble upon if she discovered the……… Wishing not to think about it any further he placed the object in a new spot (Hopefully better hidden this time) and picked up a book to read so he could pass the time. Sadly, the only books he packed were books that he had read MANY times over by then. He briefly considered putting on some music but he also didn't feel like listening to any music, especially since he could not find any in his collection that fit his current mood. He looked at the clock again. Only three minutes had passed since he had last looked. He sighed with disappointment. Then he looked outside his window. Then he remembered where he was. He was in a new place with new ponies to meet and get along with. New local hot spots to discover, new locals to find, new shops to hound through. Blueben then knew exactly what he was going to do next.

Even though he already agreed to do this with Pinkie Pie later on in the day he thought that some exploring on his own would not do him any harm. With that he stepped outside of his home locking the door tightly behind him. It was only about 2 PM in the afternoon so several ponies could be seen walking around town still going about their business as usual. A slight smile spread across Blueben's face as he became slightly eager to see what his exploration would uncover. With that he trotted straight into the center of all the bustle.

His exploration quickly proved to be very interesting and fruitful. He liked how all the buildings were built with those hay roofs on the top of them. He definitely was fascinated by them since where he came from they were made much differently. Even that store he initially dismissed, the one with the quills and couches, proved to be interesting. While he was there he looked at all the different kinds of quills that were on display. He had so many ideas of what he could do with the quills, mostly pertaining to what kinds of hats he could put them on. Looking through the couches as well he was surprised at how intricate the designs on them were. Not only did they seem comfortable but they were stylish too. Blueben was very much enjoying himself.

Finding himself back on the street he wondered where he would explore next and what he would find. His mind was imagining the possibilities. Before too long though something had already caught his eye.

He spotted a cat wandering outside of a large purplish beautified building. It had a squished face and very fluffy fur, almost exactly like that of a Persian cat. It was white with a purple bow in its fur about the head, had on a purple collar decorated with opals. He hadn't seen any cats in a while so seeing one now was a nice change for Blueben. Normally he didn't care all too much for Persian cats but once again since he hadn't seen any in a while it was a nice thing to see. Also he normally would have left it alone but for the same reason his curiosity about the creature had gotten the better of him. He walked across the street towards the building where the cat was. As he got closer he slowed down his pace so as not to startle the cat. When he got closer the cat had taken notice of Blueben and looked straight at him with a blank look on its face. When Blueben saw that the cat saw him he just looked right back at it. The cat just sat silently looking at Blueben, the only thing moving was its tail. After taking a look around to see if anypony was looking out of fear of a misunderstanding (Nopony was paying him any attention) Blueben lowered himself onto the ground and extended a hoof towards the cat.

The cat cocked an eyebrow and began sniffing at the hoof he was offering it. Blueben just continued lying on the ground motionless and expressionless as he waited for what the cat was going to do. The cat kept on sniffing his hoof, looking at Blueben directly, and then sniffing his hoof again. Blueben started kinda getting nervous of how the cat wasn't giving him any definite reaction. He hoped that soon it would decide whether it liked him or not.

Little did he know he would soon get his answer. After sniffing his hoof one last time the cat backed away a step and just looked directly at Blueben just as it had done before. Blueben kept his patience while waiting to see what it would do next.
The cat narrowed its eyes still looking towards its new visitor. Blueben then pulled his head back a little bit becoming nervous about what it was going to do. Then, much to Blueben's surprise the cat then smiled at him and began rubbing against his hoof like any cat would.

"Phew…" Blueben sighed with relief. For a minute he thought the creature was preparing itself to attack him, but thankfully that was not the case.

"That's strange……" said a dignified female voice. "Opalescence usually never warms up to a new pony that quickly."

The unexpected voice made Blueben almost jump out of his skin. He took his foot away from Opalescence as fast as he could.

"I'm sorry young sir. Did I startle you?" The voice asked.

Blueben tried as fast as he could to compose himself. His eyes followed the cat as it walked inside the building the female unicorn had appeared from. The mare had a purple mane with a white coat. The mark on her flank was of three diamonds sparkling. She was looking at Blueben with a mix of curiosity and concern.

"Yeah, you kinda did." Blueben replied getting up.

"I was just so surprised at how she reacted to you. She has never gotten that friendly with a pony so quickly. It was months before she would even come to me when I called her." The mare went on.

"Well….." went Blueben. "I'm actually kinda good with cats. My family used to have four of them running around my old home. After they kept having accidents on the carpet and such my parents put them outside and made them outside cats. But that was a long time ago."

"Where are they now?" asked the mare still with her dignified and lady like voice.

"They're all gone now. The last of them passed away just this year." Blueben told her.

"Oh dear I am so sorry." She said with concern.

"Yeah it was quite a loss. He was one who was very dear to me to. I raised him since he was just a little kitten. I had grown up with that cat. I miss him a lot." Blueben went on looking at the ground.

"Oh, you poor dear. Here, come inside. We can have some tea as I help you through your mourning." She said motioning him inside.

"No no it's fine. I'm quite well right now. I haven't shed any tears about it in months." Blueben responded nervously.

"Oh but I insist!" She said still trying to get him inside her home. "Mourning the loss of a loved one can be a painful thing. I want to help you through it and help you find some closure."

"I already have closure." Blueben told her bluntly.

"Then at least let me give you some tea so I can properly apologize for startling you." She said while looking at him sternly not moving from her stance.

Blueben sighed with an unamused look on his face. "Fine." He walked with the mare into her home.

He walked into the building and found himself looking around at all the various clothes on display. He only gave them a brief uninterested look since they were all only dresses and gowns.

"Please make yourself at home darling. My personal workspace is upstairs. You can wait for me there while I prepare you some tea." The mare explained pointing at the staircase to Blueben's left.

Blueben was going to explain to her how he didn't drink tea….. but he stopped himself from saying anything concluding that it would be better if he were to just keep his mouth shut for now. He made his way up the stairs into her private work area. He entered and instantly started walking around the room eyeing whatever he thought would even remotely interest him. There was a sewing machine, shelf after shelf of fabrics of all different colors, and faceless pony mannequins all across the room. After his brief look around he sat himself on the floor waiting for the unicorn….. who he would argue as more of a captor than a hostess……. To return. Before long Blueben was bored once again.

"How do I get myself into these situations?" Blueben asked himself. "I guess…… this situation isn't bad….. just annoying more than anything else."

"Sorry to have kept you waiting." The unicorn entered the room levitating a tray with tea cups and a pitcher on it into the room using her magic. She then set the tray right across the young colt and sat across from him.

"Um ma'am…. I am sorry I didn't ask this sooner but uhh…… what's your name?" Blueben asked.

"Oh dear! I can't believe I forgot to introduce myself. How rude of me." The mare scolded herself. "My name is Ms. Rarity and welcome to Carousel Boutique where every garment is sheik, unique, and manufique. "

"Nice to meet you Miss Rarity." Blueben responded politely.

"And what may I ask is your name kind sir?"

"Blueben. My name is Blueben."

"So Blueben, tell me more about your cat. The one you mentioned earlier."

"Well, umm……." Blueben rubbed the back of his head slightly embarrassed, "Like I said I had that cat since he was a kitten. I was around 5 years old when I got him."

"I see I see." Rarity listened attentively, "Please go on."

"Well, he was a mutt basically. I really couldn't tell you an exact breed. He was a gray cat with spots of white on his chin, feet, and underside. I named him myself and raised him for many many years. He had grown into a fairly large over time. In the small town I come from there were a lot of strays in the area. But somehow someway he became a big ol' tom cat. It wasn't uncommon to find him with another cat hanging out somewhere in the yard. He had been getting quite old recently and my mother began wondering when he was going to finally pass on. One day earlier this year I couldn't find him anywhere. I assumed he had gone to find some place to die as a lot of male cats do. After that day weeks and weeks went by and not a single pony had seen hide or hair of him sense then."
"You have my sympathies. It must have been really hard for you."

"Well, it has been awhile since he had gone so I am handling it pretty well. In fact I hadn't seen a lot of cats since then so that's why I was seeing how I would fair with yours. I was just scared I guess since I didn't want anypony thinking I was gonna try to steal it or something."

"Oh no trouble at all I completely understand." She took a brief sip of her teacup.
Blueben briefly looked around again before he quickly thought of a way to keep the conversation going without having to talk about his past any more than he already has.
"You said this was a Boutique right?" asked Blueben.

"Yes it is! My very own." Rarity proudly confirmed.

"Do you make all the clothes you sell here or do you have them shipped in from clothing companies?"

"Not at all. I make every single outfit I sell in my shop."

"Is it only lady's clothes that you sell here?"

"I can take any request whether they be colt or mare."

"I see I see. Very interesting." Blueben tried to take a small sip of the tea that Rarity was kind enough to make for him. The minute he tried it thought his face contorted as he swallowed it. Blueben had never drank tea before so the taste was less then desirable for him.

"I must say I have never seen you around here before. Are you new in town or are you a traveler just passing through?"

"Yeah I am new in town. I just moved in today actually."

"Who all came here with you?"

"Nopony, I came here by myself."

"My goodness you're quite adventurous aren't you."

"I guess you could say that." Blueben said while he tried to take another sip of the tea. It went about aswell as the last time he tried to drink it.

"I must say it is so nice to have a new friendly face. For the longest time I dreaded that we would have a monstrous barbarian among us."

"Why is that?"

"Because of something that had happened during a festival ten days ago……" She began.

"Oh yeah yeah one of the ponies who helped me move in today told me about what happened already." Blueben pointed out cutting her off. "Yeah it sounded like the guy was pretty scary."

"His clothes were all dark and worn looking, and those rings that he wore were just ughh goodness gracious. Not to mention he nearly KILLED a good friend of mine, and yet despite ALL of that The Princess STILL agreed to meet with him. With all due respect to her majesty but I could not imagine what she was thinking. Perish the thought of letting that monstrosity reside in Equestria."

"I couldn't imagine either." Blueben replied solemnly.

"But I am glad that what we got instead was a kind face like yours. Much better than that awful thing. I am happy to welcome you to Ponyville."

"Thank you." Blueben said with a smile.

"So, what do you plan on doing for the remainder of your day?"

Blueben got up and began to stretch his legs. "I am thinking of going to explore more of the town and after that I am gonna meet up with another pony who will give me a more proper tour." Then he thought, "Or at least as bloody proper as that crazy ditz is even capable of doing." He spoke to her again, "What about you?"

"I have to continue watching my shop and then get ready for a little party that somepony I know is putting together."

"Well I better not keep you from your shop for too long." Blueben then walked over to the door and began opening it. "Thank you for the tea. It was a pleasure meeting you."

"It was a pleasure meeting you aswell. You have a wonderful stay here in Ponyville."

"Thank you very much. Bye." Leaving the boutique behind him Blueben began to wander the streets of Ponyville once more.

After he distanced himself from the boutique he walked over to a nearby bridge. He looked at his watch which read 3:00 PM. "Good." Blueben said to himself. "I still have some time for looking around." He walked over to one of the sides of the bridge and looked at the water. "But I think I'll just stop here and appreciate the scenery for a little bit." Blueben hung his forelegs over the railing and looked at the water below. He could not see through it but he could tell that the water was pure and clean. It seemed to sparkle and shine with every rippling wave that passed through it. Blueben looked at his rippled reflection in the water. He sighed happily at another wonderful moment of peace he was experiencing…….. A shame that it would quickly be cut short.

"Look out below!!"

Everypony cleared from the bridge, except for Blueben. Blueben didn't understand fully what was said. He looked upwards wondering what was going on. Just as he turned his head upward a rainbow streak crashed into him causing him to go through the bridge and straight into the water. The bridge itself collapsed around them as well pretty much blocking most of the river flow.

"Oooops……… I'm sorry. " Said the pegasus as she got up from where she had landed. She had a light blue coat with a rainbow colored mane and tail while her cutie mark was a rainbow colored lightning bolt striking from a cloud.

Blueben then picked up his now dirty glasses and put them back on. Blueben silently turned towards the one who had landed on him glaring at the pegasus.

"Heh heh heh heh……….." she laughed nervously scratching the back of her head nervously. "Here, let me get that for you." She quickly swiped Blueben's glasses from right off of his face.

"What the f……. HEY!" Blueben was earlier only annoyed at what had happened. Now he was just plain mad. "The hay you think you're doing?!" He began storming towards her.

"Just chill for a sec." She had taken Blueben's glasses to the other side of the now collapsed bridge. She dipped them in the water then hastily wiped them against her coat.
"You can't just take glasses right off of someone's…." His tirade was interrupted before it even began. Just as quickly as she had taken them she had placed them right back on his face. The glasses though were put on very crooked in her haste. The pegasus couldn't help but chuckle at how he looked. Blueben was caught off guard when his glasses were suddenly back on his nose. He looked around briefly and saw that the mare was now chuckling at him. Seeing that made him scowl at her even more.

After straightening his glasses he took a very deep breath. "You get a B for effort but a D in actual performance." He pointed out to her how the lenses on his glasses were now very badly smudged.

"Sorry." She responded smiling hesitantly. "Pffffffff, you still look pretty funny though."

Blueben just looked at her with "annoyed" pretty much etched onto his face.

She still struggled to hold back her laughter despite the look her was giving her. After a few seconds she just couldn't take it anymore and began rolling on the ground laughing.
With a groan and a sigh he took off his glasses and began attempting to clean them off with a cloth he found nearby.

"Sorry for having us start on the wrong hoof." She said walking approaching Blueben. "I'm Rainbow Dash, the one and only and the fastest flier in all of Equestria. What's your name?"

"Blueben." He muttered back still trying to clean his glasses, "My name is Blueben."

"Sorry about crashing into you. I was trying a new trick and it kinda got out of hand."

"Think you're sorry now? Wait till some town officials here about this." He pointed at the mess that was once a beautiful wooden bridge.

"Yeah………."

"I am DEFINITELY not the one cleaning that up." Blueben stated crackling his shoulders and neck. "I guess I'll see you later………… Ms. Rainbow Crash." Blueben promptly then turned around and walked away from the pegasus.

"Hey! Where are ya goin'?" Rainbow Dash asked now flying above Blueben.

"I have an appointment with someone I need to get to."

"With who?"

"Some weird pink pony I was introduced to." Blueben told her rolling his eyes and shaking his head.

"You mean Pinkie Pie?" Rainbow asked him.

"Yeah, that's the one.........."

The pegasus only started laughing and patting Blueben on the shoulder earning a rather confused look from him. "Oh you are in for it now dude. She does all SORTS of stuff for new ponies."

"How'd you know I was new?"

"You'll see. Pfffffffff… I'll see ya later Blueben." The pegasus then started flying away still laughing while waving a hoof back at him.

"What the heck could she be talking about?" Blueben thought to himself. "……. What about Pinkie Pie and new ponies? What could she be referring to?" Blueben thought and thought and thought about what the pegasus had said and what all could the strange pink pony be doing. Oh wait….." Blueben then started remembering what all she had said to him when she was helping him move in. With a sigh and a shake of his head he turned himself in the direction of Sugarcube Corner and started walking.

"I might aswell just get this over with."

Chapter 4

View Online

Ponies meet Boy Part 4

Blueben walked through the doors into the candy and sweets themed shop Sugarcube Corner. Now it was getting towards the evening so the business that earlier today had been hustling and bustling had died down considerably. Blueben walked up to the counter and rang the bell that was there.

"Coming!" he heard a female voice call. In a few minutes a blue pony with pink hair walked up to the counter. "How can I help you today sir?"

"Ummmmm......... Could you tell me where I can find uhhhhh......Pinkie Pie?" Blueben asked. "She said she was gonna give me a tour around town."

"Oh so you must be the new colt in town she has been so excited about." She replied smiling and extending one of her hooves over the counter, "Welcome to Ponyville Mr. Blueben. I'm Mrs. Cake."

"Thank you....... How did you know my name?"

"Oh Pinkie Pie was just so excited about there being a new pony in town she told us everything about when she helped move you in."

"I certainly hope not......." Blueben thought to himself with a slight frown on his face.

"Now I know she can seem a bit overwhelming but she is a good little pony I promise you." Mrs. Cake assured him.

"My opinion of her is that obvious huh?"

"Yes, she can be trying at times but she does mean well. She'll grow on you you'll see."

"Yeah, we'll see about that." Blueben thought to himself again. "Anyway ma'am where can I find her?"

"You can find her apartment just up those stairs." Mrs. Cake told him pointing to the stairs. "It was a pleasure to meet you Mr. Blueben. "

"It was nice to meet you aswell." Blueben then saw something rapidly move from out of the corner of his eye. He looked up and for a fraction of a second saw a pair of blue eyes backing away from a small hole in the ceiling before it was hastily covered.

"Crafty little bugger aren't you?" Blueben said to himself under his breath. He shook his head then began walking up the stairs. "I am gonna need a good drink after this......."
The stairs were just plain wooden stairs that went straight up at a perfect walking slope. He walked on them no problem. The hallway itself was kinda dim with only a few small lights on the walls here and there. Blueben just looked around as he walked wondering what he was going to find upstairs. He remembered how many bloody times she mentioned parties and he instantly came to the conclusion that she was organizing some surprise party for him. Blueben would normally be flattered by this but because of his first impression of the pink pony he wasn't very enthusiastic about it. He could see in his mind's eye all the balloons, banners, and ribbons that would be strewn all over the place. He could imagine all the cakes and things set up on a nice little table near a wall where ponies would be chatting near a punch bowl. Now as much as the idea of lots of sweets sounded good Blueben was normally a solitary colt. Even at events such as this he would sit at a table alone and quietly eat his food. He would rarely get into any real conversations and even when he did he would rarely speak. Then he imagined Pinkie Pie suddenly pulling him in front of EVERYPONY and nudging him to talk about himself. Alone Blueben could think about himself, who he was, and his life for hours on end though not in a narcissistic fashion. But in front of others and in the spotlight no less he was much more nervous. Embarrassing himself and making himself look weird or creepy was one of his worst fears. Just thinking about it made Blueben's frown bigger and more pronounced. Before he knew it he was standing right in front of a white door with balloons painted on the front. Blueben then took a deep breath and opened the door.

He found the apartment.........empty. There was nopony in sight besides himself and......

"Hey Blueben!!" Pinkie Pie waved her hoof at him rapidly.

"Hello again." Blueben briefly waved back looking around the room. He didn't see this coming. He could have bet money on his hunch that Pinkie was throw him a surprise party but apparently he was wrong.

"I guess......" Blueben said slowly still looking around the room. "……I'm ready to go whenever you are......."

"I'm ready to!" She exclaimed walking up to him with a big smile on her face and a bag slung on her. "But first I still gotta have you meet Gummy."

Blueben's face almost went pale. "The alligator......" Blueben thought to himself. "The freaking alligator........." He had forgotten completely about when she told him about her pet. He jumped himself into a readied stance and frantically looked around the room. He looked up, down, next to him, behind him, his head moved quickly in various different directions trying to find from where the creature could potentionally strike. Then.... He felt something tighten onto one of his forelegs........

"BLOODY HELL!!!!!" He shouted as loud as he could flailing his forelegs around as hard and fast as possible. He was already panicking trying to think of what to do to get the vile beast that had bitten him off of his leg. Sweat started streaming down his face and almost everywhere else on his coat. He jumped and jumped around the room trying his best to get whatever it was off of his leg. He was yelling and screaming gibberish all over the place in his frantic state.

"Calm down you silly stallion." Pinkie Pie said laughing and rolling on the floor. "That shouldn't hurt you at all. It just means he likes you." She then resumed laughing and rolling around.

Blueben then froze in his current position. He stopped and thought about what the pony just said. He then once again started feeling pressure around one of his forelegs. It……. really didn't hurt at all. It actually felt squishy and alittle slimy but no pain at all. He slowly turned his head towards his foreleg. His breathing still fast and his heart still racing he looked at the thing that planted itself onto him. It was an alligator alright, but a very small one. It was a natural reptilian green with pale purple eyes that were just staring at him. It briefly loosened its mouth before reaffirming its grip. In that brief instant he noticed that the gator had no teeth......... just gums. "So that's why you call him Gummy huh?" Blueben said very much embarrassed from his outburst.

"Yep, you don't need to worry your silly little head." She said patting his head with one hoof and pulling Gummy off of him with another. "He never had any teeth. I have to get him some special gator food. Isn't he cute?" She help up little gator right in front of Blueben's face.

"He is I guess......" Blueben said just inadvertently staring at Gummy. In fact Blueben actually meant what he said. "He kinda is cute........ in a weird reptilian sense." Blueben thought to himself.

"Now that you and Gummy have been acquainted let's go." Pinkie Pie was already through the door and walking down the stairs.

Blueben looked towards the door then turned around and looked back at Gummy who had been set on the floor. Gummy looked back at Blueben completely expressionless. Aside from blinking a few times the Gator sat completely still. Raising an eyebrow at it Blueben slowly turned towards the stairs and began following Pinkie Pie down the step.

"Oh I have soooooo many ponies for you to meet!" exclaimed Pinkie Pie when Blueben met her at the bottom of the stairs.

"I can only imagine......... How many ponies live in this town anyway?" Blueben asked.

"You know I've never counted, but I have a feeling we'll find out!" Pinkie told him while the walked to the door.

"Have fun dearie!" called Mrs. Cake from behind the counter. Then she said jokingly. "Don't bring her home too late Mr. Blueben!"

"Say what??" Blueben asked blushing alittle.

"Let's go." Pinkie Pie started pulling on Blueben's tail with her mouth. "We've got a lot of ground to cover."

Blueben just stared blankly into space still blushing as she pulled him out the door.

****************
About 2 hours later.........

"Hello! HELLLLLOOOOOO!!!! Anypony home?" Pinkie yelled as she knocked on the door. She continued trying her hardest knocking on the door and occasionally the windows in order to get a response from inside the house they were at.

Blueben just stood silently as she tried in vain. It had been like this at every house they visited. They visited A LOT of houses in 2 hours and every single one of them bore no response to their visitors. First they visited a Cabin outside of town near the edge of the Everfree Forest. Nopony answered when the two knocked on the door. She even went to a cabin that was in the Everfree Forest itself. Blueben wasn't at all surprised to see some old cabin in the middle of the woods that was abandoned. Pinkie Pie several times tried to tell him that someone lived there but because of the way the cabin looked when they got there he didn't believe a single word she said. After they got back into town they visited house after house after house after house and they were just as was said before. Lights out and no response.

"That is really weird. Where could everypony be?" Pinkie Pie said with a sigh walking back to Blueben.

"How should I know? But yeah I agree that this is pretty weird." Blueben told her. Blueben himself started wondering what was going on. Even though he hadn't been there long he could tell that the ponies here seemed very friendly and sociable. But....... This didn't seem right for the town. Maybe these ponies were tired of Pinkie Pie but even with that possibility in his mind he still thought this was strange. He wondered what possibly could be going on..........

"Um......... Pinkie Pie?"

"Yeah?"

"Could we head back to my place?" Blueben asked politely. "There is something I would like to get from there before we continues trying houses. I would have brought it with me earlier but I forgot to."

Pinkie Pie then pulled out a clock and looked at it. After a few minutes of looking her smile became bigger than usual. "Sure. We can do that." As they started towards Blueben's house she then bounced the way more than walked, but Blueben was not paying that any attention.

"What in the world is going on here?" He thought to himself. "Something does not feel right here......" Blueben looked around the neighborhoods they passed on their walk. All the houses looked the same. Empty, lights off, no signs of life what so ever. "I know I'm not supposed to do this but......... this is just too weird for this kind of place. I'm gonna need to get one of them out.......... so I can be armed and ready for whatever is going on here........"

"Hey Blueben...... is something wrong?"

Blueben shook his head around and looked towards Pinkie Pie.

"Is there something bothering you?" She asked him with a look of concern.

"Oh no...... it's nothing." Blueben reassured her. "I was just thinking about what could be going on is all......"

"Hey, don't let this get you down. There are lots of houses left to go yet. Somepony should be home." Pinkie Pie told him with a smile. "I can't wait to have you meet all of my friends.

"From what you've told me I think I may have met a few other than Applejack and Twilight already."

"Really? Who?"

"One that had like a purple curly mane with a white coat. I think her name was Rarity if I remember correctly."

"You met Rarity already?" Pinkie Pie asked slightly surprised.

"Yeah, and I met another crazy pony too. Freaking ditz crashed into me while I was standing on a bridge."

"That must have been Rainbow Dash." Pinkie Pie started laughing. "Yeah, that silly filly crashes into ponies all the time. She crashed in Rarity's boutique, a few bridges, through some windows, into the library. It's so funny. She's silly."

Blueben chuckled alittle as he imagined the pegasus crashing into things over and over again. Alittle slapstick humor was never a bad thing in Blueben's mind. Before long Blueben's home was within view. "Good We're almost there." He said with a breath of relief. When they reached the home Blueben unlocked the door. Inside the house it was completely dark other than the minute amount of light that would manage to come in from the curtained windows.

"Okay Pinkie." Blueben said turning to where he thought Pinkie Pie was standing. "We're not gonna be here very long so please don't go through anything. All I am gonna be doing is grabbing a thing or two from upstairs. So I want you to just wait RIGHT here. Ok?" Blueben then started looking around in vain in the dark. "Now where is that confounded light switch in this place?" Just as Blueben had finished saying that all the lights on the first floor of his house burst on with light.

"SURPRISE!!!!!!"

The lights revealed a whole CROWD of ponies inside Blueben's home. They all stood in whatever nook and cranny they could find in the house. They were of a whole bunch of different colors. All of them were looking at Blueben with smiles and friendly faces.

Blueben just stood in shock with his mouth slightly open trying to make sense of what all was going on. "What the......"

"I told you I'd throw you a party Blueben!" Pinkie Pie chuckled hoofing him slightly in the shoulder. "Now you REALLY get to meet all of my friends!"

"How in the HAY did all these ponies get in here!?" Blueben asked Pinkie Pie looking irritated. "I locked that door the minute I left my house!"

"You forgot about your back door." A little yellow filly with a red mane and a bow in her hair told him in a familiar country accent.

"Yeah, you TOTALLY forgot about that one! Ha ha!" said a small orange pegasus with a purple mane who was standing next to the first filly.

"We WERE going to pick the lock for everypony but before we did that we found the back........ door...... unlocked........ he he......" said a third little white unicorn with a pink and purple mane.

Blueben just glared at the three fillies without saying a single word. He was extremely annoyed now. Even one of his eyes was twitching alittle as he gave them his glare.

All of the fillies looked at eachother and smiled nervously backing away a few steps.

"I'm mighty sorry about that Blueben......." Said Applejack coming up next to the first filly. "We were tryin' to figure out where to hold the party and then we heard how our little crusaders here found yur back door open."

" Crusaders?" Blueben asked raising an eyebrow.

"Yeah we are the......" The first filly explained before motioning the other two to join in.

"CUTIE MARK CRUSADERS!!" they all yelled.

Blueben winced the moment he heard them shout who they were. Never had his eardrums felt so conflicted on what he was hearing. He didn't know whether to call it cute or to put it on his list of things to never want to hear again.

"Yeah. That's what they like to call themselves." Applejack told Blueben who was still recovering from their yell. "This here is my little sister Applebloom." She explained pointing to the yellow filly. "This one is Sweetie Belle." She pointed at the White colored unicorn. "And last but not least we have Scootaloo."

After Applejack introduced the Cuite Mark Crusaders to him Blueben looked at them sternly with a raised eyebrow.

As he looked at them they looked back at him once again with nervous smiles on their faces.

"Hmmmmmmmm....." Blueben uttered as his eyes began to wonder. He looked and looked and finally locked his eyes on the kitchen. He thought a few minutes more and looked again at the little crusaders. He smiled at them.

Their expressions changed from looks of nervousness to looks of confusion.

Blueben kneeled towards them and motioned towards them with his hoof. "Come here for a sec."
The three fillies took a few steps closer.

"Come closer."

The three walked closer to Blueben still. He then leaned closer and started whispering in their ears.

"I think I have a few doughnuts left in my refrigerator. There should be enough for each of you to have at least one. They should be in a plain white box. Why don't you guys go in there and knock yourselves out?"

"You really mean that?!" Jumped Scootaloo with a big smile on her face.

"Go right ahead and have them. I need to cut back on my eating anyway." Blueben responded patting his stomach.

"Wow, thanks mister!" shouted Applebloom jumping with a smile just as big.

"Anytime kiddos." Blueben said still smiling at them.

All three of them looked at eachother with glee before zooming straight to the kitchen.

"Generous type huh?" Applejack said poking Blueben in the shoulder.

"You could say that. I was serious about the cutting back though." Blueben said chuckling.

"Now that that's done let me introduce you to the rest of my friends!" Pinkie Pie said pushing her head against Blueben's flank.

"Watch where you're putting that head of yours will ya!"

Pinkie Pie paid Blueben's words no heed at all as she pushed him towards a familiar group of ponies. "I know you've already met most of them but eh what the hay?" Pinkie Pie then bounced next to the purple unicorn. "This is Twilight Sparkle. You know how much she loves books already."

"Hello again Blueben." Twilight said with a nod.

"Hello again to you to." Blueben responded with a bow.

"This is Rarity. She can make some AWESOME dresses. I would say that if you wanted one to ask but I think you'd look pretty silly in a dress Blueben." Pinkie said pointing at the fashionable unicorn.

"I must apologize on behalf of my little sister." Rarity said politely. "She often gets into such a mess poking around places. I could tell you horror such stories of all the accidents that happened with her in my boutique."

"Ah, it's alright. Don't worry too much about it. Just as long as she didn't try to mess with anything I won't hold anything against her." Blueben said shaking his head. "I'm sure I have much worse horror stories to tell you about from back at Waterbridge."

"You already know Applejack. Our honest hardworker form Sweet Apple Acres!" Pinkie Pie pointed at her as she was walking towards the group.

"Yep I do." Blueben said casually.

"Here is Dashie! Her and me pull some HILARIOUS pranks on ponies. You should come with us sometime! It is sooo much fun!"

"Yo." Rainbow Dash said with a wave of her hoof.

"Hello again Rainbow Dash." Blueben said with a stern on his face.

Rainbow Dash looked back at him confused.

Blueben then smiled alittle deviously. "I got my eye on you." He said joking with her. "I'm not an easy pony to prank."

Rainbow Dash got the hint and smiled deviously back. "Is that a challenge Mr. Big shot?"

"Hey you said it not me." Blueben responded chuckling getting up in her face. It was so on.

"You remember that dragon Spike I told you about? Well here he is!" Pinkie Pie held up in her mouth a small purple dragon with green spines down his back. He didn't look too enthusiastic about how he was being introduced. "He's with Twilight almost CONSTANTLY with Twilight. He helps her out around the library and does a whole bunch of other stuff."

With a sigh the Spike regained his composure and extended an arm towards Blueben. "Hey, I'm Spike." He said being as casual about it as he could.

"I'm Blueben." He put his hoof in Spike's hand and shook.

"It's nice to see a new DUDE around here. You have NO idea what all this girly nonsense does to ya."

"Boy, tell me about it. I know how you feel dude. I was in those shoes before myself. Yeah, it was about as fun as you would expect it to be."

"A lot of the time I'm just with Twilight."

"Only one huh? Try four."

"Ooooooo, I bet that was interesting."

"Yeah it definitely was......"

Pinkie Pie dropped Spike out of her mouth and he hit the ground with a thud and a snarky "Ow.."
"AAAAAAAAANNNNDDDD finally we have Fluttershy." She pulled Blueben aside and was pointing towards a bright yellow pegagsus who was standing alittle farther back than the others. Her long mane was a bright pink and the mark upon her flank was that of three pink winged blue butterflies.

"She cares for all of the little animals in and around Ponyville. And also," Pinkie Pie leans closer to Blueben's ear and whispers, "She's very shy."

"Well that explains her name pretty well." Blueben nonchalantly.

Fluttershy's face was mostly hidden behind her long mane. Her eyes often shifted between looking at Blueben and looking away. She then suddenly gasped at something that was pushing her forward.

"You'll never get to know him if you don't talk to him silly!" Pinkie Pie said as she was pushing Fluttershy towards Blueben. Pinkie Pie stopped when Fluttershy was sitting at only a few feet from him.

Her eyes started looking around and shifting again now faster than before. She hid herself as much as she could behind her mane. She after a few moments settled her eyes on Blueben.

Blueben smiled softly at her trying to be as friendly as possible. He slowly extended a hoof towards her.

She backed alittle from the hoof looking up from his hoof towards Blueben's face.

"Hello Fluttershy. I'm Blueben. It is very nice to meet you." Blueben said with a smile. "You take care of the animals around here huh?"

He looked around briefly before silently nodding with a small barely audible squeak.

"That's pretty cool." Blueben said nicely, "I really like animals. I used to have a bunch of them back where I used to live."

"Uhhhh ummm...... thank you......." Muttered Fluttershy in a soft barely audible voice.

"Uh, Sugarcube I think you may want to......" Applejack started saying to Fluttershy.

"You're very welcome." Blueben said with a bow interrupting a suprsied Applejack.

"Uh........ Um....... what all did you have?" Fluttershy asked with the same voice as before.

"Four cats, a hyperactive little dog, an iguana, and LOTS of birds." Blueben told her.

"That's...... very nice......" Fluttershy replied.

"Thank you." Blueben said smiling.

"Now that you two have gotten acquainted I wanna introduce you EVERYPONY in Ponyville!"

"Say what?" Pinkie Pie pulled him aside and faced Blueben towards everpony else who by now had begun hanging out at various spots inside Blueben's home.

"But wait a sec." Blueben looked back towards where Fluttershy was standing. She had already left the scene nowhere in Blueben's sight. "Uhhh....... Did you say EVERYPONY???"

"Yep the party has only just gotten started!" Pinkie Pie said with a wide smile.

"Ok then, let's this start........." Blueben suddenly dropped dead in his tracks. He started to remember something else very important..... and about how they all had entered his house........ Blueben suddenly face suddenly turned into a look of dread and his face went nearly completely pale.

"Blueben........ are you alright?" Twilight asked looking at Blueben's mortified face.
Blueben said nothing. He remained completely still, his face still frozen in fear and getting slightly more pale.

"You....... Don't look so good...... Is everything alright??" Spike asked.
Blueben then started a cold sweat. His mouth opened slowly as he took a very slow very deep breath.

Twilight, Rarity, Applejack, Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash, and Spike all leaned towards him wondering what he was going to say.

"CRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAP!!!!!!!!" Blueben shouted as loud as he could before making a mad dash for the stares. "Excuse me! Pardon me! Sorry! I need to get through! Ooops my bad! Sorry I'll get you a new drink in a few seconds." Blueben said in rapid succession as he drove his way through a crowd of ponies. Within seconds he reached the stairs and they all heard his hooves loudly bang against them as he ran up. Blueben screeched to a halt in front of the door to the large room. The glowing green locks he had placed there before were exactly as he were when he left them. Wanting not to leave it and risk a mistake he quickly waved his hoof making the locks disappear and the door swung open with a loud thud against the wall. He quickly walked into the room sweat pouring down his coat and his breathing at rapid fire pace. He waved his hoof again making the white locks he had made disappear without a trace. He violently pushed open the long closet. The cases he had placed inside all sat exactly as they had when he placed them there. No hoofprints, no new marks, no trace of tampering. When Blueben saw this he took a big sigh of relief. He closed the closet, locked it, got out of the room, and locked that door exactly the same way as he did before with the same locks as before. Finally, Blueben banged his head against the door to the large room.

"Thank heavens..............." he muttered to himself. "Those fillies didn't make their way in there........." Blueben took another calming deep breath before stepping back and looking at the door. "Thank you God............"

"Blueben?" Pinkie Pie asked as she came up the stairs. "Where are you?"

Blueben gulped and did his best to catch his breath. "I'm up here Pinkie Pie."
Pinkie Pie came up the stairs and saw Blueben leaning backwards against the door with the glowing green locks.

"Come on silly." Pinkie Pie said to Blueben, "I still have to have you meet everypony."

Blueben took another deep breath and walked with Pinkie Pie down the stairs. "How many ponies ARE there here in Ponyville anyway?"

"Oh there are lots and lots and lots of ponies here and I'm gonna introduce you to everysingle one!"

"Great.........." Blueben said sarcastically.

****************
Awhile later.............

Blueben was now pretty wiped out. After a getting moved in, getting crashed into, walking around all over town, the ringing pain, and after dealing with the EVER so random and odd Pinkie Pie he was pooped. "Hmph......... and it's only been the first freaking day......" Blueben slouched against a nearby wall. Pinkie Pie had introduced him to literally EVERYPONY in Ponyville who was there at the party. He couldn't remember all the names that Pinkie Pie threw his way in rapid succession. He remembered though Big Macintosh and Granny Smith, Applejack's older brother and obviously her granny respectively. He remembered a teacher named Cheerile, and he even chatted briefly with a zebra named Zecora. When Pinkie Pie had finished introducing him to everypony he was ready to resume his usual routine at parties. Find a place with a relatively good amount of empty space and relax until it was done. As soon as Pinkie Pie found herself chatting with a different set of ponies after the long agonizing train of introductions Blueben took this as his chance to break away before she decided to force him to dance. He looked around trying to decide where he was going to hangout. He searched and searched and looked towards the kitchen. From where he was standing it looked like it was empty. It was a perfect place for him to get some time to himself.

Blueben walked into the kitchen and immediately started getting a glass from his cabinet. He went over to the refrigerator and opened it up looking for his drink.

"That's good. It's still here." He said as he pulled a brown milk jug towards him. "And it's not past the expiration date. Also good." He unscrewed the lid and poured himself a full glass. He reopened the refrigerator and his hoof nudged against something as he put the jug of chocolate milk away. It was the doughnut box. He took it out and opened it. All that was left inside were some crumbs and little hoofprints made of frosting. "Nice job kids." Blueben said to himself laughing. "You little buggers made short work of this poor doughnut box didn't ya?"

"We sure did!"

Blueben turned around and saw the Cutie Mark Crusaders all standing behind him. They all were smiling with smears of brown and white frosting all over their little faces. Blueben started laughing the minute he saw their faces. It was adorable to see and Blueben knew it.

"Ha ha ha ha....... Oh boy." Blueben said with his hoof over his chest trying to calm himself. "I think you little buggers might end up growing on me."

"Thanks again for the doughnuts! They were sooo good!" Scootaloo said excited.

"Yeah........ and we're also sorry about sneaking into your house......." Sweetie Belle told him.

"We all are." Applebloom added with a nod.

"Ah it's alright." Blueben responded. "I was more worried about someone getting hurt or scared more than anything else. But since you didn't seem to have messed with anything I'll let it slide this time."

"Thanks Blueben." Applebloom said.

"Anytime. Now would you three do me ONE tiny little favor before you go back out there?"

"Yeah? What is it?" asked Scootaloo.

"There are some wash clothes over there in the drawer to the right of the sink. I'd appreciate it if you wiped your faces. The last thing I want is to hear your sisters give me a hard time for getting you guys dirty from the frosting."

"Yes sir!" They all said with a salute. With a final shout of "CUTIE MARK CRUSADERS AWAY!!" They dashed away doing what Blueben has asked them to do.

"Pfffffff, jeez. They really are growing on me." Blueben said with a smile and he picked up his drink. He turned towards the table when he had seen a pony he thought was long gone.

It was Fluttershy sitting on a stool at the table by herself looking around the unfamiliar kitchen. She seemed mildly interested in what she was seeing eventhough she didn't get up from her spot.

Blueben looked at her for a few moments and took a deep breath walking to the table.

Fluttershy looked around at the kitchen. The wallpaper, the cabinets, the cooking utensils, and everything else that was there. "Oh Fluttershy......" She said quietly to herself. "You have got to work on how you meet new ponies."

"Is this seat taken madam?" a very low and masculine voice asked politely.

"EEEEP!!" Flutteryshy sqeeked as she jumped from her stool and found herself on her back on the ground. Her legs had gone completely straight and stiff. She couldn't move and she could have SWORN she heard a goat's "baaaaaaa"ing somewhere faintly in the distance.

"I'm sorry. Are you ok?" The male voice asked.

Fluttershy had looked upward and saw the colt that Pinkie Pie tried to introduce her to before. He looked at her with a look of concern. "Y-y-y-y-yes I'm fine." She said asoftly.

"You don't look fine." Blueben said bluntly. "Here, let me help you up."

Fluttershy blushed a bit as she felt the colt carefully get his hooves in the right places to help her up. With alittle work he was able to get her to sand completely straight up.

"I hope that wasn't too awkward for you." Blueben said scratching the back of his head. "Those stiff legs of yours weren't making it easier for me to figure out how best to get you back up." He then suddenly started looking at her with narrow eyes.
Fluttershy continued blushing in embarrassment as she wondered what it was he was looking at.

Blueben then carefully and softly placed his hoof on her head. Then he began swiping his hoof slowly across the top of her head.

Fluttershy had no idea what Blueben was doing and it made her face all the more red and she herself all the more nervous.

"Ah, there we go." Blueben said after a few seconds taking his hoof off of her head. "I think your hair has gone as stiff as your legs. There was a little section of it that was a frizzed up from when you fell but I fixed that."

"Uh, thank you." Fluttershy squeaked from nervousness.

"Here, stay here for a few seconds ok?" Blueben got up from the table and went towards the cabinets.

As Fluttershy still paralyzed waited for the colt to return she could hear the rustling and moving of various glass dishes. That quickly stopped and was followed by a few thuds of cabinet doors closing. Next she heard a door open and close with a hint of suction to it. After a few more sounds she couldn't make out Blueben was back and sat down next to her.

He pushed into her view a tall glass of chocolate milk with a straw in it.
"Here, have some." Blueben told her calmly. "It'll help calm you down."

Fluttershy looked at Blueben then at the drink. Blushed alittle bit and tried to reach the straw with her lips, but the glass was too far away for them to reach it. She then tried to hop herself closer to the drink but just as she was about to attempt the first hop Blueben already reached over and slid the glass so the straw was right against her mouth. She blushed once again and looked over at Blueben. He was calmly sucking his drink through a straw of his own. When he had finished his gulp he smacked his lips a few times and let out a relaxed sigh. He looked over calmly at Fluttershy. She jumped a bit when he looked at her and she started slurping the straw for her drink.

Slowly but surely she could feel her muscles relaxing and releasing their tension as she took gulp after gulp of her drink. When she felt she had full control of her limps she sat herself down right on the stool she was sitting in before and let out a sigh.

"Feeling better?" asked Blueben.

"Um, yes. Thank you." Fluttershy replied with her voice more audible then before.

"Good." Blueben said taking another slurp of his drink. After he gulped it down he wiped his face on his foreleg and looked over at Fluttershy. She looked back at him. "Now let me properly introduce myself." Blueben said before reaching his hoof towards Flutterhy. "My name is Blueben. What is yours?"

"Um.........." She looked at the hoof Blueben had extended towards her. She then cautiously started shaking his hoof with her own. "My name is Fluttershy."

"A pleasure to meet you Fluttershy." Blueben politely told her bowing to her in his chair.

"It's nice to meet you to....." Fluttershy quietly said before she resumed slurping her drink. "Um, thanks again for the chocolate milk."

"Don't mention it." Blueben told her taking another slurp of his.

They both for a while just sat quietly next to each other peacefully enjoying their drinks. Every so often one would look at the other and when the other would look back the one who looked first would go back to slurping their straw.

"Alright Fluttershy, this is your chance!" She thought to herself. "You can do this! Just act natural." After finishing off the last of her glass of chocolate milk she turned to Blueben. "You mentioned that you had lots of animals where you lived before right?"

"Yes I did." Blueben told her casually still focused on his drink.

"What all happened to them when you had to leave?" Fluttershy asked.

"The rest of my family is taking care of them." Blueben told her. "They are in good uh....... hooves so I am not too worried about it."

"That's good." Fluttershy responded.

"What animals do you care for here?" Blueben asked.

"Why I take care of all the animals here." Fluttershy told him now with her normal speaking voice. "I take care of all the birds, the bunnies, the frogs, and I even have a chicken coop at my cabin."

"Pinkie Pie made me walk with her to a cabin before we came back here." Blueben responded. "It wasn't too far from the Everfree Forest. I remember seeing what looked like a chicken coop there. Would that be your cabin by any chance?"

"Yes, it's mine." Fluttershy nodded. "I keep the chickens there to keep them safe. They always try to wander around and get in all sorts of messes."

"I know how you feel. The cats and dog from back home did that way too often." Blueben said shaking his head.

"What is your talent?" she asked Blueben.

"I write." Said Blueben motioning towards the mark that was on his flank.

"What all have you written so far?"

"Short stories, some poetry here and there. I'm working on a novel right now too. I just haven't had the time to work on it. A lot has been going on for me lately."

"I see, must be difficult being in a new place all by yourself."

"It hasn't been that bad. I haven't even had that much time TO BE by myself since I set came into this town anyway."

"Pinkie Pie?"

"Yep........ Pinkie Pie.........." Blueben repeated before taking out the straw. He threw it into a nearby garbage can and just finished off the rest of his chocolate milk in one go. After he had finished it he wiped with mouth with his foreleg. "What's your daily routine like here?"

"Well, first I get up in the morning and….."

For the remainder of the party that is what Fluttershy and Blueben did. They just sat and chatted with eachother over glasses of chocolate milk while most of the other ponies were enjoying themselves in the party.

*************

Meanwhile........ FAR away from Ponyville, a fissure opened in the sky. It was large, dark and ominous. And through it several small objects came into Eqestria. They were seven rings, all different colors. Each ring bore a strange symbol on it showing its allegiance. For a few seconds the rings merely fell towards the ground, then they suddenly started to glow. Each ring glowed its color brightly and they dispersed in all directions.

A voice came from the rings saying, "Scanning............. scanning.............. scanning................"

When they dispersed what each of them uttered seemed to change.

"Scanning for Rage.........." uttered the red ring.

"Scanning for Fear............" Called the yellow ring.

"Scanning for Avarice.........." Said the orange ring.

"Scanning for Hope............." chimed the blue ring.

"Scanning for Compassion..............." chanted the indigo ring.

"Scanning for Love.............." sang the pinkish violet ring.

And the last ring, the green ring, that which bore a symbol resembling a lantern uttered,

"Scanning for Willpower..................."

Chapter 5

View Online

Ponies meet Boy Part 5

“No……. no………. no…….. None of these have anything about them either.” Twilight said with disappointment as she laid three more books in a very tall stack that was next to her.

“Why are you so obsessed with finding any references on myths anyway?” Spike asked moving more books to where Twilight was sitting.

“It’s because NONE of these myths are ones that I have even heard of before.” Responded Twilight paging through another book. “All these names, all these figures, all the other……. Things talked about in here. They are totally foreign.”
“Is that really such a surprise to you?” Spike asked looking over Twilight’s shoulder.

“Think about it Spike. Blueben TOLD me that these myths were famous where he came from. I have looked through EVERY book we have on such lore and not a single one even mentions any of these. Look at the size of this book Spike.” Twilight used her magic to display the book in front of Spike’s face. The book had a white cover that was trimmed with gold colored paper. Stamped in blue on the top was the title “Encyclopedia of Mythology”. On the cover there were many old fashioned paintings of ponies ages past. It even had a picture of a very muscular stallion sculpture. Then the book opened and page after page of pictures, small tightly grouped text, and portraits. “Do you see how much information is in here? Plus, not only is there no reference to these myths in OUR books but this book has no references to OUR myths either despite it saying it’s an encyclopedia.”

“Well maybe it is just a reference for obscure myths. Like that book on obscure unicorn history you gave me.”

“The history in that book I can verify and confirm from VARIOUS sources.” Twilight said continuing to page through both Blueben’s book and one she had taken from Spike.

“Like I said before he DID say it was hard to find.” Spike said sitting down on the floor. “Maybe the publisher only managed to make a few copies, and Blueben was one of the ones that got a copy.”

“Spike, do you not get what I am saying?” Twilight said as she closed another book that gave her no help. “I know for a fact that there is a copy of every single book in Equestria in the Canterlot library. Trust me, if there was more than one copy of this book I’d have seen it by now.”

“What’s the big deal about some plain old myths anyway?”

“It’s not just the myths……” Twilight said getting down from her podium. “I saw another strange book that Blueben had.”
“And what was it?” Spike asked curiously.

“It was called The Serial Killer Files.” Twilight said.

“Serial Killer Files?” Spike said confused. “What’s a serial killer?”

“A serial killer is somepony who attacks and kills many MANY other ponies for their own gain.” Twilight said pacing around the book filled room. “Some kill for money, some kill because of some hallucination, and sometimes……… they kill for their own amusement.”

“That’s pretty dark Twilight.” Spike said wincing alittle. “Now THAT is strange…….. what did he say when you found it.”
“He said he was doing research for a character in one of his stories.” Twilight said.

“Then that would make sense. You did tell me that he was a writer.” Spike said.

“I know Spike. I know he said that but……” Twilight then gave her assistant a nervous look. “There is just something strange about that pony. I don’t know what it is but I can kind of……. Feel it…..” Twilight then placed one of her hooves on her chest. “I have had this strange feeling every time I’m around him…….. every time I felt something…… something very strange……… something……….alien.”

“Pinkie Pie’s strange to Twilight.” Spike said with a shrug. “You don’t get any stranger than Pinkie Pie. Sometimes I wonder if she is even from this planet.”

“A DIFFERENT kind of strange Spike…….” Twilight said taking a deep breath. “He seems nice but I just haven’t been able to get that feeling to go away. Especially after what the fillies told me.”

Spike turned his head alittle bit. “What did they tell you?”

“Well, first off, the fillies had told me about a door they had found while they were snooping around in Blueben’s house……”

**********

Hours earlier…….

“What did you say there was?” Twilight asked the fillies as they stood outside of Blueben’s home.

“A weird door.” Applebloom told her. “It has these weird glowin’ green things all up an’ down it.”

“I think they were locks.” Said Sweetie Belle. “We couldn’t get that door to budge an inch. We tried EVERYTHING we could to open it and we couldn’t get so much as a creak from it”

“Well, you SHOULDN’T have been in thur in the first place!” Applejack said angrily. “That is somepony else’s HOME. Do you have any idea wrong that is to just barge into somepony’s house?”

“Come on!” said Scootaloo. “It’s not our fault he didn’t lock his back door.”

“We were lookin’ for a place to set up Blueben’s party not snoop around his house.” Applejack said angrily again.

“It’s not that big a deal guys.” Pinkie Pie said as she moved party favors and decorations into the house. “This gives us the PERFECT way to surprise Blueben when he and I get back from going around town. We’ll just explain everything to him when we come back.”

Twilight stood there looking at the fillies with a puzzled look on her face. “Could you show me where you found these locks?”

“Sure. We found um up the stairs.” Applebloom said walking into the dimly lit house. They walked past Pinkie Pie who was rapidly setting up decorations for the party. They slowly made their way up the stairs and towards the mysterious door.

“There it is.” Said Sweetie Belle pointing her hoof.

Twilight approached it and looked at it closely. The door and its locks stood like a sour thumb amidst the darkness of the dimly lit second floor. The area around the door however wasn’t that dark at all. The locks on the door gave off a strong and steady glow of green illuminating the door. Twilight put her hoof against one of the locks. The texture felt smooth and metallic against her hoof. When she pushed it against the door it held firm not giving her hoof any way closer to the door behind it. She placed her hoof feeling another lock on the door. It was as solid and as strong as the one before it. She looked seriously at the other locks just like she had done with the first. Never in her time with books about geology and earth books had she heard of a metal that gave off such a relatively bright green glow. After feeling the last of the locks she turned towards the fillies who were standing behind her. “You said you couldn’t find any way to open this door?”

“Nope, nothing we did worked at all.” Applebloom said shaking her head. “There wasn’t even any key holes in those locks.”

Twilight cocked and eyebrow then looked at the underside of one of the locks. It was just as Applebloom said. No keyhole. “That is odd……” Twilight thought to herself. “What would he keep behind a door with no way to take off the locks?”

********

“Twilight…..” said Spike with some concern on his face. “Are you sure you aren’t just getting paranoid again?”

“Now Spike..” said Twilight, “Why would you say that?”

“You’re making a big deal out of nothing Twilight.” Spike said getting up and dusting himself off. “Yeah from what you’ve said he seems kinda strange but Twilight. He’s a WRITER. From what I’ve heard about authors they can get pretty strange.”

“Even so, that doesn’t explain why he has this book or why he has those strange locks in his house.” Twilight responded.

“Need I remind you what happened LAST time you got all paranoid like this?”

“What are you talking about Spike?”

“The smarty-pants incident.”

Twilight blushed and her ears went backward from embarrassment. It was something in recent memory that she remembered too well.

“From what I saw of him at Pinkie’s party he just seems like and ordinary colt to me.” Spike said beginning to put books away. “It’s nice to have another guy around.”

“Yeah, I guess that would explain why you’re defending him so much.” Twilight said rolling her eyes.

“That doesn’t matter!” retorted Spike getting more of the books put away. “Just give him some time and you’ll see that he’s just another ordinary pony. You’ll see.”

Twilight sighed and rubbed her eyes. “Yeah…… maybe you’re right Spike.” Twilight rubbed her eyes again. “Maybe I’m just tired from Pinkie’s party. I think I’ll head to bed for the night. She then started trotting wearily up the stairs to her bedroom. “Goodnight Spike.”

“Goodnight Twilight.”

*********

The next morning………..

A loud ringing went off that seemed to echo throughout the bedroom. A blue hoof rose from under the nearby covers to try to silence the noise. In its tired attempts the hoof accidently pushes the ringing alarm clock off of the desk and onto the wooden for making a loud clang and the ringing even longer. A few seconds the clock vibrated on the floor still ringing before a pair of hooves reached down from the bed and silenced it. As one hoof held the pin that rang the bells the other reached for the back of the clock and flipped the switch to shut the alarm off. After that hoof set the clock back in it place on the bedside table the other hoof threw off the covers. Blueben sat up in the bed. His hair was even more of a mess than usual. He looked around tiredly at the table and picked up his glasses. He unfolded them and placed them on his face. He groggily got off the bed and walked out of his bedroom. He went into his upstairs bathroom and went about his daily routine of getting ready. He turned on the sink and moved a comb around in the flowing water. After it had gotten wet enough Blueben then combed his mane down just the way he liked it. After that he took a nice relaxing shower. Once he had finished his shower he walked down the stairs into his living room. Now Blueben’s home had been pretty much cleaned up after Pinkie’s party had ended the night before. Everything was wiped, picked up, and put away. However, there were still a few things that were in disarray and/or just weren’t in the spot Blueben had originally put them. Seeing this Blueben let took a breath and said, “Well at least I know what I am going to be doing for today.” Blueben then walked towards his shelf. “Let’s see if it is still where I left it.” Blueben said to himself as he was looking around on the shelf. “Ah here it is.” He pulled out the device that Pinkie Pie had found the day before. He set it on the coffee table at the center of the living room. He opened it up and pushed a button. The machine instantly turned on and the screen came alive with various colors and icons. Blueben then sat in front of the computer for a few minutes slowly pressing the keys below the screen with his hooves. “Ok…. What shall I listen to today while I work?” Blueben said to himself still pressing buttons. “Oh yes. This will work.” With another few button presses music began to start playing from the machine. The music had a very formal melody that played elegantly as Blueben turned from the machine and began to move things around.

“Aaaaaaaaaaaaaveeeeee mariiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiaaaaaaaa” A low voice had begun to sing from the machine. “vurrrrrrte averaturrrrrrrrr.” The low and elegant voice kept on singing in its foreign tongue adding a new totally different atmosphere to the room in which Blueben was working. It went from slightly messy and grungy feeling to dignified and fancy. Music can do so much to change the feel of a place and Blueben knew that very well. The beautiful music had put Blueben in a good mood. He smiled slightly enjoying the music while he rearranged what had been misplaced the night before. He went about his work diligently though he walked slower than normal so he could revel in the music that was gracing his worn ears. After having to listen to loud fillies shouting, rapid mouth moving, and the chitter chatter of so many ponies this slow, elegant, classical music was bliss to Blueben’s ears. Whenever the song would end he would have the song start from the beginning again. Before too long the home was getting cleaner and cleaner until it had been completely restored to order. “Alright. Done and done.” Blueben said wiping some sweat off of his forehead. “Now that’s done.” Blueben started walking towards the kitchen when he heard a knocking from his door. “Hello?” Blueben shouted towards the door. He heard a voice but he couldn’t tell what it was. It was barely a voice. It sounded more like a squeak. “Hello?” Blueben called again as he opened the door.

It was Fluttershy who greeted him. She stood infront of Blueben’s door just like she did the first time she had met him. Hiding behind her pink mane.

“Is there something wrong?” Blueben asked concerned.

“You aren’t angry about me disturbing you are you?” Fluttershy asked barely audible.

“No I’m not. Why would you think that?” Blueben asked.

“You sounded alittle angry earlier….” Fluttershy said hiding behind her long mane more.

“OH! No no no no no I’m not angry at all.” Blueben said trying his best to reassure her. “I’m very sorry if I did. I think it’s my voice or maybe the tone. Other ponies tend to think I am angry when I’m not angry at all. “ Blueben smiled trying to appear more friendly.

“So……… you’re not angry?” Fluttershy asked revealing more of her face.

“No, no I’m not I promise.” Blueben said before making a cross sign over his heart. “Cross my heart and hope to die.”

“Ok.” Fluttershy said with relief fully revealing herself like normal.

“Here, why don’t you come in? I was just about to get some breakfast.” Blueben said holding the door open for her.

“Oh! No no I don’t want to be a bother for you. Especially if you just moved in.” Fluttershy said looking nervous and blushing alittle.

“It’s no trouble at all. I have plenty of food.” Blueben said motioning inside. “Please come in.”

Fluttershy hesitantly and slowly walked through Blueben’s door. As soon as she entered the music Blueben had been playing began to grace her ears. She looked around the house alittle when she had entered. It certainly looked and felt a lot different without a huge crowd of ponies inside.

“Why don’t you sit down? I’ll get something for you to drink.” Blueben said walking to the kitchen.

“Uh…… thank you.” Fluttershy said as she sat down on Blueben’s couch. “Ok. I went into his home. So far so good.” She thought to herself. “I have got to keep working on being less shy. Fluttershy you can do this.” As she waited for Blueben to return she took in her surroundings. Various furniture was precisely placed around a medium sized coffee table in the center of the living room. On the back wall of the living room sat a large book shelf filled to the brim with books. On the tables and other shelves she could see various knickknacks, pictures of ponies (presumably family), and what looked like various awards hung on the wall. “He must be very talented.” She thought. “I wonder what all of those are for…….”

“Wooooaaaaaahhh woah woah woah!”

Fluttershy raised her head and looked towards where the voice came from. It was Blueben who was trying to balance a large tray on his head and was one misstep away from spilling all of the tray’s contents. “Oh dear!!” Fluttershy flew straight towards Blueben. She stopped herself just in time to balance the tray and save what was on it from being spilt.

“Thank you. For a minute I thought that it would be a lost cause.” Blueben said to her as he set the tray down on the coffee table.

“Um…… Why were you trying to balance the tray on your head?”

“I couldn’t carry it with my mouth. I couldn’t keep it balanced with my mouth.”

Fluttershy looked at him confused. “He does realize he could have used one of his hooves long enough to carry it doesn’t he?” she thought to herself.

Blueben then began to move things around on the tray. What he had was two plates, alongside them were two more plates each filled with food. One plate had assorted vegetables such as carrots and broccoli and fruits like sliced apples, bananas, some grapes. The other plate had a lot of sweets on it. A few cupcakes, chocolate bars, and a small bowel of candy coated treats of various colors. “Here” Blueben said putting a plate in front of Fluttershy. “Help yourself.”

“Thank you.” She said as she began slowly talking what she wanted from the small spread of food.

Blueben had already begun filling up his plate. First he had put on a few apple slices alongside some carrots and a head of broccoli.

“Think Fluttershy think.” She thought to herself. “Make some small talk…. Oh what to talk about…..” then she heard again the classical music that had been playing while she was there. It was the same song as before. She couldn’t understand a single word that was sung but at least it was something she could work with. “I really like the music.” Fluttershy said to Blueben. “What song is it?”

“It’s called the Ave Maria.” Blueben said to her eating his food. “It is an old classical piece. It is one of my favorite songs.”

“Who sings it?” she asked.

“Uhhhhhh……..” Blueben looked around the room trying to think of what to say.

As he pondered Fluttershy looked at him waiting for a response. She noticed how hesitant Blueben looked in giving his response. Like he didn’t know what all to say. “Are you having trouble remembering?” She asked.

“No no I know who he is.” Blueben said reassuring her. “I’m just having trouble remembering his name…..” Blueben’s face suddenly lit up. “Now I remember. His name was Luciano Pavarotti.”

“Who is that?” Fluttershy asked as she began eating her food.

“He is a famous opera singer from overseas.” Blueben then took a quick bite of an apple slice. “He is a really good singer but this is the only one of his songs I am familiar with.”

“What other kinds of music do you listen to?”

“Alittle of everything.” Blueben said taking another bite of his apple. “Some rock, some oldies, some classical, alittle country. Things like that.”

“That’s um….. very interesting.” Fluttershy said pulling backward a bit. “Ok, what should I talk about now…. Oh there has to be something I can….”

“I am sorry for not asking this earlier but is there any particular reason you came to see me?”

Fluttershy jumped a bit not expecting Blueben to be the one who would speak first. “I just thought that um….. since you were new and…… and with how we got along last night……I um….. would come over to say hi.” Fluttershy said nervously.

“Well thank you.” Blueben said refilling his empty plate, this time with sweets. “I always like getting a visitor once in a while.”

“Do you not get visitors very often?” Fluttershy asked.

“Back where I used to live, no.” Blueben said biting into a cupcake. “My family and I where I used to live pretty much kept to ourselves.”

“Was your family shy??”

“Well, that would depend on the family member in question.” Blueben told her flatly while continuing to eat the cupcake.

Fluttershy looked at Blueben’s face. She could tell he wasn’t entirely happy with where the conversation went. Putting down the treat she was currently eating. “He looks rather unhappy…. I better think of something else to talk about……” she thought.

Then Blueben got up from the couch and lifted his plate out to the kitchen. “I’ll be right back” he said plainly as he took his plate with him.

Fluttershy tried to say one more thing to Blueben but by now she was so nervous that once again her voice dwindled to barely audible squeeks which Blueben didn’t hear. With a sigh Fluttershy continued eating the sweets she had on her plate. They were very good but she felt they would be even better if the conversation was going like she hoped it would. Before long Blueben came out of the kitchen with a new determined look on his face.

“Would you know where Twilight Sparkle lives?” Blueben asked.

“Um, yes of course I do!” Fluttershy said surprised at Blueben’s sudden vigor. “She lives in the library further in town.”

“Would you be able to take me there?” Blueben asked her.

“Sure.” Fluttershy said.

“Thank you.” Blueben responded gathering some papers into his backpack that he had with him yesterday.

“If it’s not any trouble…..um….. could I ask why you want to go visit Twilight?” Fluttershy asked as she walked up behind Blueben as he was gathering papers from his desk.

“Were you there when that creature interrupted your town’s festival eleven days ago?” Blueben asked looking back at her.

Fluttershy jumped backward at the question. “Y-y-y-yes….. I was there.”

“Well, Twilight told me about what all had happened. What the creature looked like and how he acted.” Blueben said while slinging the back pack onto his back. “Since you were there what’s your take on what all happened?”

“Well….. um….” Fluttershy began pawing the ground nervously. “I really can’t describe how I feel about it…… that poor creature….. whatever it was…… was really scary…… he tried to hurt Rainbow Dash but……. But…”

“It’s ok if you don’t want to talk about it.” Blueben said looking at her concerned. “I can only imagine how it felt to see something like that.”

“Ok.” Fluttershy said.

“I apologize if I seemed elsewhere earlier.” Blueben said apologetically. “I was just thinking about what Twilight told me and I was trying to make sense of it.

“The reason I want to go see her is because I am curious to see what it was he threw at Rainbow Dash.” Blueben told her. “Plus I also want to know if there are any theories she has about it.”

“I see.” Fluttershy replied softly.

Blueben opened the front door allowing the brilliant sunlight inside the home. “You ready to go?”

*******

At Manehattan……

All of the ponies of the bustling city were going about their routine. The yelling, snarking, and all the other sounds of city life were being rung full force as ponies, pegasi, and unicorns went about what they did as usual. There was somepony however who was in a particularly bad mood.

“Watch where you’re walkin’ jerk face!!” shouted a tall griffon after she bumped into a smaller earth pony.

“Maybe you should watch where you’re goin missy!” shouted the pony back.

“Oh yeah?” The griffon then pushed her face against that of the smaller pony. “Why don’t you just learn how to walk straight before I pound you into next week you little runt.”

Now the small pony felt overwhelmed. Without a word he turned tail and ran like a dog with its tail between its legs.

“YEAH YOU BETTER RUN DWEEB!!” The griffon yelled with a clenched bird talon in the air. With a “Hmph” she began to walk again. “How could Rainbow Dash turn ME down for those dumb stupid losers?!” the griffon thought to herself. “I was her ONLY friend in the academy. HOW COUL SHE DO THIS TO ME?!” She growled the more she thought of the episode between her, Rainbow Dash, and the residents of Ponyville. Eventhough it had passed a long while ago thinking about it filled her with the worst kind of rage. It wouldn’t be long before something took notice…….

Above Manehattan the red ring flew wildly as it had done since it had departed from the rings it had come with. “Scanning for Rage..” growled the red ring. “Scanning for Rage….. scanning for rage….. scanning for…….. Rage detected.” Suddenly the red ring dove towards the ground with its red glow even brighter than before. It had found its target. It had found the one who would be its wielder…. Or more accurately…… its host.

The angry griffon walked along the sidewalk exactly as she was before. She was still angry and still enraged. “If I ever get my talons on those little idiots I will so…” Her monologue was interrupted by a sudden flash of bright red light that at first blinded her. “What the hay?!” she yelled as she covered her eyes. After a few seconds she slowly opened her eyes. What she saw was a red ring darting all around her like a buzzing fly. It flew around her erratically making sudden and sharp dashes and turns in every direction around her. “What in the…”

“Gilda of Equestria, you have great rage in your heart.” the red ring snarled as it expanded itself and dashed toward one of Gilda’s talons. Once it had reached the appropriate size it slipped itself onto one of the fingers of her right talon. When it was fully attached a bright red light surged engulfing the entire block in its fiery crimson glow.

The surrounding ponies were temporarily blinded by the sudden flash, but as it disappeared they regained their sight. They all gathered and looked at the source of the crimson light. The griffon with brown feathers, a white head and neck with purple around her eyes and the tips of her feathers was now hunched over breathing slowly. She was now clothed in a red and black uniform that covered her entire body except her neck, head, and talons.

“Hey…..” one of the civilian ponies said. “You ok miss?”

Gilda slowly turned around and looked at the pony who had spoken. When they saw her face they all backed away. Out of her mouth came a corrosive red liquid that burned as it dripped onto the ground. Her face seethed with anger and hate. Suddenly she roared towards the crowd spewing the red liquid everywhere in front of her. The crowd screamed and began to run away in a frenzy from her. Ponies were clammering, screaming and running into eachother trying their hardest to get away from the mad griffon. Then she pounced towards the crowd the rage now completely taking over.

As Gilda begun her rampage the red ring slowly uttered to her mind, “Welcome to the Red Lantern Corps…….”

Chapter 6

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Ponies meet Boy Part 6
By Brandon Stoltz

In Hoofington…….

In this small village a crowd of ponies had gathered. Every stallion, mare, and foal had gathered around a strange wooden stage that had been set up in the middle of their square. It was large and adorned all over with starts, shapes of planets, comets, and fireworks rockets.

“Fillies and gentlecolts!!” A dramatic voice bellowed. “Feast your eyes at the triumphant return of THE GREAT AND POWERFULL TRIXIE!” As the unicorn made her extravagant entrance onto the stage all sorts of fireworks and special effects went off in a grand display of lights and color. Rockets were zooming, sparks were flying everywhere. Truly a showpony’s display. The unicorn had a blue coat and a light blue mane with streams of white. She continued her dramtic entrance saying, “Watch in AWE as I…”

“Oh no not YOU again!” A grey stallion in the audience shouted.

“How DARE you interrupt the great and POWERFUL Trixie’s entrance!” Trixie yelled. “Are you not overjoyed for the return of the most MAGICAL unicorn in Equestria?”

“No we’re not!” He yelled back.

“How could you not be? You all MARVELED at the Great and Powerful Trixie’s last performance.”

“Yeah, but that was before I heard what you REALLY ARE!” the crowd gasped at what the stallion had said and now listened even closer to what he had to say.

“And what am I? Am I NOT the most POWERFUL magical unicorn who ever lived?”

“No you’re not!” he shouted stamping his hoof. “I heard about your little *performance* in Ponyville.” The stallion then walked through the crowd up closer to the stage. His face wore a look of determination while Trixie’s face uttered only the slightest amount of nervousness.

“Oh so you have heard about the wondrous story of how The Great and Powerful Trixie vanquished an Ursa Major?”

“Oh I heard something alright.” The stallion said the fury in his face painfully obvious. “You told them your story about that Ursa Major, how you vanquished it, you were that village’s only hope, blah blah blah, but then you used OUR village as the village that you saved. When you were HERE you said it was Manehattan.” The crowd all gasped in unison. They all chattered and chattered until the grey stallion spoke again. “Oh oh oh! And that’s not even the best part, the BEST part came when night came around an Ursa actually came into town.” The crowd gasped once again. It was as if they were on cue. The stallion continued, “Yeah, guess who they turned to for getting rid of it. Does everypony want to know what she did?”

Trixie cringed knowing what was soon about to take place. Her face broke out into a fierce sweat. She looked towards the crowd and saw all the foul glares that were aimed her direction. Anypony could see that this would not end well.

“She conjured a baby lightning bolt here, managed to tie only two of its fingers together there, and, oh this is my favorite part, she ran away!” The stallion jumped onto the stage getting right into Trixie’s face. “What you really are is a fraud and a coward. You are no magical unicorn, you’re just an egotistical sorry excuse of a foal!” All at once the crowd started booing and hissing at the stage.
“Get off the stage!” One mare shouted.

“Get lost!” another one yelled.

“Oh what a wonderful audience!” Trixie said with a laugh. Next she shoved the stallion off the stage and said. “The Great and Powerful Trixie did not need your protection but The Great and Powerful Trixie is most…”

“Who said we were talking to him?” a pony in front row said to her with a glare.

Trixie gasped as she realized what the pony meant. She saw that she was the target of innumerable angry stares. Before long the shouts, hisses, and boos returned stronger than before.

“Get out of here!” a mare yelled tossing a ripe tomato onto the stage.

“This town is NO place for a fraud like you!” a stallion roared.

Trixie took cover under her cape from the barrage of boos and vegetables. She listened to what all was being yelled to her…. It pained her. Her bottom lip began to tremble and tears began forming under her eyes. When she could take it no more she dashed as fast as she could off of the stage. She ran and ran and ran crying every step of the way. When she had gone far enough from the town she began to slow down. She was standing in the middle of a secluded but beautiful meadow where the grass made waves in the blowing breeze. “I am The Great and Powerful Trixie.” She sobbed wiping her face with her hoof. “Why doesn’t anypony love the spectacular feats The Great and Powerful Trixie performs……..” her crying slowed down alittle. “The Great and Powerful Trixie……….” She looked up towards the sky, “………… wants to be a star……… I just want their attention…….. their love……… I just want my talent to be recognized………” Trixie then lifted off her hat with her magic and set it on the dusty road she sat on. “The Great and Powerful Trixie had all of those things………. until………” Trixie then slammed her front hooves stirring up a small cloud of dust. “Until that TWILIGHT SPARKLE showed me up!” Trixie began to pace around her hat as her thoughts continued. “It was because of her that The GREAT and POWERFUL Trixie lost her fame and respect!” Her resolve refound she placed her hat back on her hit. “She is but a mere setback. The Great and Powerful Trixie will get fame and fortune back by any means nessecary. Suddenly her shadow in front of her and a light blazed behind her back. She turned back to look at what it was. She found herself bathed in a bright orange light.

“Trixie of Equestria…….” A voice from the orange light uttered…… “You want it all……..”
Meanwhile in Hoofington…….

“You think she’s going to comeback Mayor?” a pony official asked an elderly but strong looking stallion. At this point the crowd began to leave from the front of the large stage which was now covered in tomato splatters, lettuce leaves, and other discarded vegetables.

“I certainly hope not.” The Mayor replied. “The last thing we need is a con artist dirtying our town’s good name with her lies.” He walked over to the filthy stage and looked it over. “Now we just need to tear down this eyesore.”

“It is only an eyesore because of a rude audience.”

The two official ponies turned towards where the voice came from. What they saw was a unicorn with a blue coat and a white and light blue mane. She wore a cape and a wizard’s hat but this time the stars were all orange and what was once purple was now black. She now also wore an orange and black uniform with several bands around the bottoms of her legs and around her hooves. One of the bands was larger than the rest and glowed fiercely around her right hoof. It had a strange symbol embedded into it that neither pony could understand. The unicorn spoke again.

“That stage……. Your attention…… the crowd’s respect…. Their adoration……. This whole village….” She lifted her head up. Her face revealed that The Great and Powerful Trixie had once again returned. But now she was….. different. Instead of her usual color her eyes glowed orange instead. The rest of her body glowed bright orange as well. As she continued to speak the orange glow got brighter and brighter. “This village……….” Her expression changed from a neutral stare to a wide and evil smile. “is…………mine…….. mine……… MINE!!!!!!”

“Welcome to The Orange Lantern Corps….” The ring uttered as its host reign had begun.

*******
Back in Ponyville.

The quiet of the library home was suddenly disturbed by the sound of knocking.

“Hey could you get that Spike?” Twilight called reading her book.

“Got it!” Spike called back coming down the nearby staircase. As Spike made his way toward the door he briefly looked around and saw the book that she was reading. “Are you still obsessing with that book Blueben let you borrow?”

“I’m not obsessing over it Spike. I’m just reading it.” Twilight showing that it is the only book in front of her to prove her point. “I thought that since I had it and never seen any of its stories before I thought I could read it and maybe learn something. Maybe something familiar will come to me as I read it.”

“Well, at least you’re approaching it in a healthy way this time.” Spike said with relief. The knocks resumed now louder than before. “Yeah yeah I’m coming.” Spike wearily. He slowly opened the door letting the light of the morning illuminate the dark library.

“Yo.” Blueben said with a wave of his hoof.

“Oh hey.” Spike said with a wave back. “How have ya been?”

“I’ve been good. How about you?”

“Eh,” Spike then yawned tiredly covering his mouth. “about good I’d say. What brings you here?”

“I was hoping to talk to Ms. Twilight Sparkle about something. Is she here?” Blueben asked politely.

“She’s right inside reading that book you gave her.” Spike said pointing inside. “Come on in.”

“Thank you.” Blueben said with a bow entering the house.

“Good morning Spike.” Fluttershy said following Blueben.

“Hey Fluttershy.” Spike responded closing the door behind the visitors.

“Who was at the door Spike?” Twilight called from the next room still reading the book intently.

“It’s Fluttershy. Oh, and Blueben’s here to. He said he wanted to talk to you about something.”

As soon as Spike finished talking that alien feeling she had described before returned. The very object of her suspicion was now with her in her home. She then calmly closed his book and set it on the nearest shelf. Trotting towards the central room she thought about how she would conduct herself. Should she act as normal or should she act with caution? She didn’t know what exactly would be the best course of action regarding the situation. “Those locks, those books, there has to be something going on with him….. maybe this will be my chance to get some clues.” She thought to herself. “Blueben… just what is it that you’re hiding?” instantly regaining her concentration she stepped out into the central room where Blueben, Fluttershy, and Spike were standing.

“Oh, hey Twilight. Sorry if we’re disturbing your reading.” Fluttershy said softly.

“Don’t worry about it. It’s no trouble at all.” Twilight said with a reassuring smile before she turned to Blueben. “So, what was it you wanted to talk about?”

“You remember that thing that the creature you told me about threw at Rainbow Dash?” Blueben asked.

“Yeah, what about it?” Twilight responded inquisitively.

“I was wondering what all happened to it after the incident.” Blueben said. “Did the guards confiscate it or something?”

“No they didn’t.” Twilight told him. “Nopony there would go anywhere near it.”

“So, where is it?” Blueben asked her.

“Why are you so curious about it?” Twilight retorted.

“I wanted to take a look at it to see what I could learn from it.” Blueben said. “Creatures like the one you described have always been interesting to me. After reading so many stories you kinda get savy to the possibilities of what such things are capable of.”

“Like what?” Twilight asked.

“Like what magic they can do, IF they can do magic, or if they use something else entirely? Do they use machines that use steam, do they use technology that uses electricity, are they more advanced than us? Things like that.”

“Hmmmmmm I see your point.” Twilight Sparkle said with a nod.

“So, do you know where it is?”

“Actually, I’ll be right back.” Twilight then went right up the stairs. Blueben looked towards the stairs with a curious look on his face. After he heard the sounds of some rustling and of heavy objects moving he saw the silhouette of Twilight coming down the stairs. When she stepped into the light she had something in her mouth that was wrapped in a red cloth. Quickly approaching the round table at the center of the room she placed the object onto it. She then unwrapped the cloth slightly. As she did so some light in the room started to reflect brightly from what was underneath it.

“Twilight….” Fluttershy said with a terrified look on her face. “You… you… brought that t-t-t-th-thing.. .here?”

“I had to Fluttershy.” Twilight said to her. “Somepony had to remove it.” She unwrapped it alittle more making what was under it gleam even more. “I wanted to get rid of it. I wanted to throw it right into the river. But I couldn’t do it. I just had to bring it back with me. I wanted to see what I could get from it.” She then fully revealed the item beneath the cloth. It was indeed the knife that had been used by the creature. The handle was thick and slightly curved at the bottom. The blade was thick and long. It was a single edged razor sharp blade with a menacing point.

“Woah…..” Spike said in awe. “I’ve never seen a knife that looked quite like this before. Talk about hard core.” He reached for it to try to touch the handle but his hand was quickly slapped away by Twilight.

“What did you manage to learn from it?” Blueben asked.

“My research tells me that this knife definately isn’t the kind that was made to chop vegetables. That creature demonstrated its purpose pretty well when he threw it at Rainbow Dash.”

“You mean……” Fluttershy said hesitantly, “That…… it was made to……” She gulped gathering her strength, “…… to kill?”

“Precisely.” Twilight responded. “There hasn’t been anything like this in Equestria in centuries maybe even eons. Not since before Equestria was even established. The only time in recorded history that anything like this item were made was when the tribes were very militaristic. They were all ready for war with the other tribes. So things such as this were constructed for exactly that purpose.” She then turned her gaze toward the item in question, “But none of the weapons made back then looked quite this…… this…..”

“Recent or Advanced?” Blueben said looking at the knife.

“Exactly.” Twilight responded. “The designs from back then look nothing like this but I could tell the minute that I compared them that they were made for the same purpose.”

“Was there anything else you learned from this?” Blueben asked stepping closer and studying the knife.

“Now, these are just some theories that I came up with after what I just told you. This discovery implies that the race that creature originates from is no stranger to conflict. It must be such a prevalent thing for…… wherever it is that he came from……. That they focused their attention into the study of war, how to kill, how to make their killing implements more effective, and maybe even new ways to kill entirely.”

“Gosh…” Fluttershy said astounded at what she was hearing. “I can’t imagine a race like that. Poor creatures. I wonder how they even manage to live in such a state.”

“Where we have focused on peace and happiness this knife implies that his race has been prevalent in war and destruction….” Twilight’s eyes began to narrow and anger began to show in her face. “Which makes me dislike that thing more and more.”

“What if they’re not all bad Twilight?” Fluttershy asked, “I mean….. his being around means that their wars aren’t so bad that they wiped themselves out already. Maybe they’re not all bad. Remember how Equestria was founded? Maybe these creatures know what love and friendship is already and that’s why at least one of them survived whatever it is they’re going through.”

“Remember Fluttershy these are only theories.” Twilight said looking back at Fluttershy, “I have no idea what the entire race could be like, but that doesn’t change the fact that this knife was MADE to kill and it also doesn’t change just how wrong the way that creature acted was. You remember what he did don’t you? He barged in on Celestia’s speech, humiliated the guards, he spat in the princesses’ direction, and worst of all he tried to use this very knife to kill Rainbow Dash when she stood up to him.”

“I know Twilight….” Fluttershy said as she started hanging her low. “I remember what happened very clearly.”

“I must say your theories all sound very plausible.” Blueben commented as he slid his hoof across the back of the knife. “Whatever he is, he’s dangerous.” Blueben then put the red cloth back over the knife and attempted to re-wrap it as Twilight had wrapped it. “Originally I wanted to ask if I could ask to take this home and compare some notes I had about knives with this but it seems you already learned everything you could possibly learn from it without talking to the owner himself.”

“Despite whatever potential knowledge we could get from talking to him I hope we never see that thing again. “ Twilight then focused her gaze on the knife and her look once again took on a hue of anger. “He’s in Celestia’s hands now and she is more than capable of dealing with such a thing.”

************
Meanwhile in Canterlot…..

The upper class ponies have always been patrons (or so they would like to think) of the arts. One of the arts they appreciate the most is style of Equestrian Classical music. Canterlot’s youth on the other hand like their music to be a little more modern. A large number of them are still spoiled and up tight snobs, much like their parents, and they like to have alittle classical in their music as well as the modern, which is exactly the kind of music which two well-known mares in the music world are going to play today.

This performance that was about to take place was one that has been highly anticipated by the youth of Canterlot. The indoor stage/arena was dark with the only lights being seen were lights near the entrance and the stage to guide its visitors to their proper areas. The dance floor in front of the stage was packed to its limits with young colts and fillies waiting to dance the day away. (It was their only choice since the parents of Canterlot were extremely strict about curfews.) The excitement in the room was as high as ever. Behind the curtains however things weren’t so exciting. It would be more accurate to say that unlike the outside, the ponies preparing for their performance behind the stage were not anticipating what they were about to perform….. they were dreading it.

“How in in Celestia’s flowing mane are we gonna get through this performance?” said a brown coated stallion with white mane and tail and had four eighth notes as his cutie mark. “We have never performed this kind of music live before.”

“Yeah.” Said a stallion with a short and neat brown mane and coat with a violin as his cutie mark. He was shaking with nervousness and his face was drenched in sweat as he stood behind the first stallion. “This piece is extremely complicated. We could barely get through it during all of our rehearsals. How does anypony expect us to perform this piece well and do it in front of such important clientele.” Other members of the classical section of the assorted band started clattering and murmuring all with similar thoughts on their minds. What that stallion spoke was the truth. The piece they were performing was indeed complicated. It was written by a foal prodigy whose work could be considered borderline mad. The song they were going to perform today was especially complex. One that involved several pace changes, tone changes, ascending and descending beats, not to mention the modern equestrian hip-hop mix thrown in. It was going to be an uphill battle to play.

One mare in the group thought otherwise.

“Of course we’re not going to perform well if you let the pressure get to you.” The mare responded comfortingly to the whispers of the band. She stood right in the middle of the line with her cello under her foreleg. Around her neck was a white collar with a pink bowtie. She had a grey coat and a long dark grey mane, her light purple eyes looked intently towards the ominous red curtain that was in front of her and her fellow band members. “We’ll get through this in tip-top shape. You’re all very talented performers who have more than shown your stuff around bigger audiences and even more important clients. Take some deep breathes and relax everypony. We can do this.”

“How?” Asked the first stallion.

“By calming down and being professionals.” Replied Octavia, “Like I said these are not as high of clientele that we usually perform for. Besides, they’re kids, I doubt their all as uptight as their parents. We have the talent to blow them right out of the water! I wouldn’t be saying this if I didn’t believe that true.”

“Thanks Octavia.” The second stallion said to her wiping the sweat from his brow. “Hearing that helps a lot.”

“You’re welcome.” Octavia said with a calm smile.

While Octavia was calming her fellow ponies in the classical section the mare in charge of the hip-hop section was just as nervous as they were. The young unicorn mare with a white coat with a tail and mane of two shades of dark blue sat in her dressing room. She sat in front on her mirror staring straight into her own red eyes. The tension of the day had gotten to her like it had gotten to the others. Unlike the others she was alone. She withdrew from the others to see if she could get a handle on it.

“I’m doomed….” and so far she has not been handling it very well. “Doomed doomed doomed DOOMED!” She slammed her head onto the table in front of her mirror. “How am I supposed to mix up these beats when oldies oldies classical is thrown in?” She was as concerned as her classical fellows were. She was just as scared as they were about trying to add classical and modern hip-hop together in one song. She thought it was impossible. Then she saw the writing of the mad foal that wrote what she was about to perform. Then she was convinced it was impossible. The only reasons she didn’t turn down the job was because of how well it paid and because she had heard that her friend Octavia had also agreed to perform the song. They have been friends for a long time despite their different tastes in music so the opportunity to actually perform together was too good to pass up.

“Ms. Scratch, the show starts in five minutes.”

“Oh crud…” her face went pale and all of her legs started to shake. “Five minutes…… How am I supposed to calm down in five minutes?” Then in her panicked thinking she began to wonder something. “How is Octavia handling this?” She slowly creaked the door open and took a look outside of her dressing room. After a quick peak around she put on a cool and calm look and started making her way towards her part of the stage. She kept her eye out for her friend but amongst all the faces of all the other ponies she had trouble looking. Crew and other stage workers were scrambling all over the place (not frantically though) making the preparations for the big show to begin. Finding herself in front of the ladder to her beat boxing station and no sign of Octavia she gave up on finding her and went up the ladder. “-sigh- I might as well face my humiliation like a real unicorn.” She wearily made her way up those seemingly endless rails on the ladder. The fear was still hanging onto her mind digging its claws deep into her pride and into her confidence. It clawed into her mind more and more with every climb. When she reached the top her confidence was left in tatters. She looked from her place above the classical section and looked around. As she wearily looked back and forth waiting for the dreaded show to begin when she suddenly spotted a grey hoof that was waving at her. She looked closer and there was Octavia, smiling calmly and waving her hoof elegantly at her friend. Her face reflected surprise when she saw that her friend didn’t seem scared at all. Just sitting there waving without a care in the world. Then after seeing her friend recognize her Octavia stopped waving and started mouthing something. Vinyl Scratch didn’t understand what was being mouthed so she motioned for her friend to say it again. Then she pointed her ear down towards Octavia.

Over the sounds of the ponies chattering, moving into their places, and sounds of overall excitement for the show she could hear her friend say very faintly…..

“Good luck.”

Vinyl Scratch pulled back and just stared at her friend.

Recognizing that her friend had heard her Octavia whipped out her bow and gave her friend a determined nod before turning back around and facing the curtain.

Vinyl Scratch could not believe how calm and confident she looked as she faced the curtain that was before her. “There is no way she couldn’t know the kind of important ponies we’re playing for. How is she so confident?” After pondering it for a moment an idea began to form into her mind. After pondering on that idea she shook her head fiercely and whispered to herself “Get a hold of yourself DJ Pon3!” then she gave herself a light hoof-slap to the face and began her whispering again, “You can do this! You are DJ PON3! Best mix-master in Equestria! You’re gonna blow these kids’ MINDS!” She gave her turntable an epic turn and long scratch. The audience outside the curtain roared and cheered when they heard. Hooves were clapping, jockeys were shouting, “WOOP WOOP!” at the top of their obnoxious teenage lungs, ladies were yelling in approval. Vinyl Scratch found herself blown back a little by their cheers. She didn’t know that the turn table was already on and that all the eager part ponies waiting outside would hear her do that. As she heard their approval she started brimming with confidence. She looked down at her friend Octavia who was already looking back at her. She gave a second nod of approval before turning back around putting her gameface on. “Alright little ponies….” She whispered before putting on her signature sunglasses. “Let’s rock this joint.”

“Fillies and gentlecolts….” The announcer began with a voice beaming with enthusiasm. “Put your HOOVES together for DJ-PON3 and the EQUESTRIAN GRAND ORCHESTRA LIVE for you today. ARE YOU READY?!”

The crowd outside started cheering and clamoring exactly like they did before “WOOT WOOT!”s and all.

“I they can’t HEAR you. ARE! YOU! READY!?” the announcer called.

The crowd cheered and screamed again this time louder than before.

“Alright let’s get start…”

Suddenly two bright objects came crashing through the closed arena doors. They flew and darted all over the arena in various directions and at lightning speed. The crowd stared in awe as the light trails of green and blue danced over their heads. The ponies behind the curtain however were murmuring amongst themselves as they watched what was happening outside.

“What’s going on?” Octavia wondered. “I thought those stage lights weren’t supposed to go on until later in the song….. and I don’t remember them being blue and green.”

“What the hay?” Vinyl Scratch said scratching her head. “I didn’t turn on any of the effects yet. Is the equipment malfunctioning?”

Without warning the two flying objects turned right for the stage dashing at full speed. They ripped right through the curtain and started flying above their heads.

Vinyl Scratch took off her glasses and squinted her eyes at the foreign objects. “Are those….. flying rings?”

As soon as she stopped talking the green one darted right for her and was incoming fast. She ducked in an attempt to protect herself from the projectile. When the ring came closer however it slowed itself considerably. It slowly winded and swirled down towards her right foreleg.

“Vinyl Scratch of Equestria…..” The ring whispered, “you have the ability to overcome great fear…..” as it said this the ring expanded and slid itself onto her foreleg. “Welcome to The Green Lantern Corps.”

Just as the green ring had went for Vinyl Scratch the blue ring had begun a similar pursuit of Octavia. Octavia stood motionless not knowing what to expect. She held her cello close to her just in case the projectile were to become a hazard. Just as the green ring had done before it the blue ring slowed itself considerably as it got closer and closer to its target. Looking at it Octavia couldn’t help but be in a state of shock and awe at what her eyes were showing her. The ring seemed beautiful in its blue light and even the symbol on it seemed to make her feel like everything would be all right.

“Octavia of Equestria…” the ring sang as it came closer to her. Octavia extended her hoof towards it and the ring took its place on her foreleg. “You have the ability to inspire great hope..... welcome to the Blue Lantern Corps.”

After the lights of the strange object began to dim the audience inched closer and closer to the front of the stage in anticipation of what they would see next. When they all got as close to the stage as they could legally get the curtains flew aside and released the brilliant light that burst forth behind it. As the blue and green lights began to dim the audience looked towards their sources as their image became clearer and clearer. In the middle of the stage stood Octavia with her instrument still barely in her hooves and breathing heavily. Her pink bowtie had now become blue as a neat and very elegant black and blue suit had been placed on her by the ring with the symbol of her new corps placed right over her heart where the chest pocket of the suite was with a matching blue hanker chief inside of it . Gentlecolt and performer alike would have envied her at the sight of such a classy suit. Meanwhile as the green light dissipated from around Vinyl scratch her new thread had begun to reveal itself as well. It was a hip and colorful look, an icon of the hip-hop streets. On her back legs were now a bear of slick green jeans with stitches and musical markings that accented its street inspired look and its DJ wearer. Above that was a shirt that showed The Green Lantern Corps insignia large and proudly on her chest against a black backdrop that engulfed the rest of the sleeveless shirt.

“You must go! Now!” a voice spoke from the rings to the two mares that sounded old and ……..actually kinda cool in the OLD sort of sense. “The Corps has a mission for you of the UPMOST importance.”

“Yeah yeah I’ll get right on that.” Vinyl Scratch said still amazed at what she was now wearing. “But… umm…… can I get done playing this show first?”

“Yeah.” Octavia said into her ring. “This is a really important performance that we have been working very hard for so….. can we get to our uh….. mission…. After we’re done?”

“……………” at first the rings were silent to them. After a few awkward minutes of silence they could hear a frustrated sigh and what sounded like something hitting against old and worn skin. “Fine……..”

“Alright!” shouted the two mares. They both then readied themselves, Octavia stylishly swinging her bow into its position and Vinyl Scratch placing her forehooves firm against the turn table. Both mares began to glow again and before long the other performer got the cue to ready themselves as well.

“Oh yeah.” Vinyl Scratch whispered to herself smiling and her horn began to glow green in anticipation. “This is gonna be epic.”

Chapter 7

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Ponies meet Boy Part 7

In the dusty town of Appleloosa…………..

Things were as they usually were in the settlement town. The buffalo and the settler ponies had enjoyed piece and mutual benefit from their experiences months ago. Thanks to The Elements of Harmony and some luck with a piece of pie the conflict with the buffalo had ended and things were peaceful. In their dealings with the buffalo the settler ponies had learned a lot from their new friends and the buffalo learned much from the settler ponies as well. There was still some suspicion on both sides after the orchard incident but now those fears had been put to rest. When fears of the buffalo had died down a different kind of fear would find its way into the peaceful town.

It starts with The Salt Block saloon, the premiere salt bar of the west. It was a popular gathering place in the town with several stallions and mares regularly visiting to get their fix of salty drinks, salty food, and sodium enriched delights. Funny how they decide to serve salt in the desert isn’t it? Things in the saloon today were as usual. Not much to talk about really. Ponies were at the bar drinking the various salts while others were at the tables enjoying a meal. Outside a few of the patrons sitting near the door could hear heavy hoofsteps coming towards the door. In a few seconds the doors began to open with the push of a hoof. The patrons were just about to give the visitor a nice warm welcome to The Salt Block, but as soon as they saw who it was they stopped cold. Some of the other patrons looked towards the door wondering what was with the partial hello and soon they too were motionless.

The pony that had come through the door was a notorious stallion by the name of Black Lasso. He stood towering over the majority of the other ponies in the bar with a gruff look on his face. He was large, bulky with muscle, a black coat, pale white mane and tail as well as a layer of rough white hairs on his chin. On his flank was a very ominous cutiemark. It was some kind of skull…. with horns on it. A lasso spun around the odd looking skull ready to tighten its grip around it. This was not the only source of the settlers aversion towards this mysterious stallion. He is a famous bounty hunter. He would travel from town to town and settlement to settlement rounding up trouble making ponies and handing them in to the local authorities in exchange for money. The pony was brutal in his methods though, which would often leave anypony who saw it with their jaws to the ground. None of the ponies this stallion turned in came without injuries. Broken bones, bruises, internal bleeding, you name a nonfatal injury you could do to a pony and this stallion has probably done it at least once. After he was done with a job he would always hang out at the local saloons before trotting off alone to the next town.
When it came to the saloon’s there two kinds of them in those parts. The ones that would leave him alone and the ones that were dumb enough to try to throw him out. The Salt Block in Appleloosa was one of the former. He had been doing his job for years and the owner of the bar had long decided that it was best to let him go about his business like any other customer. That was indeed a wise decision that has kept things stable in the saloon whenever he would appear. They all hoped that it stay that way today.

Black Lasso returned a glare towards the other ponies in the saloon and then made his way to the bar. There was a very old and grey pony who sat on one of the stools and swayed alittle as he enjoyed some salt. Black Lasso came up behind him. “You’re in my seat.” With that he threw the old pony off the stool and onto the wooden floor. The pony bounced a couple of times on the floor with loud audible thuds. Several who were in the room cringed as they saw and/or heard what was done to old stallion, but as horrible as it was they did nothing. They were too afraid to act. Too afraid of Black Lasso and what he would do to them if they so much as uttered a word in opposition. Often they found themselves in this situation. The black middle-aged stallion took a seat on the nearest stool and sat his forelegs on the bar. He took the black dusty hat off of his head and sat it next to him as he waited.

“Howdy there Black Lasso.” Said the bartender cautiously acknowledging the new customer. “What can I get ya today? Could I interest you in some new salt we just got in today?”

“No.” Black Lasso responded calmly. “I’ll just have water sonny boy.”

“Coming right up.” The bartender then got to work getting the requested drink. It wasn’t long before he promptly returned. “Here you go sir.” The young bartender said sliding an ice cold water to Black Lasso.

“Thanks.” Black Lasso then picked up the glass with both of his forehooves and began chugging the water. In just a few large gulps the glass was completely empty, signaled but a thud on the bar. “Another glass of water please.”

“Of course sir.” The bartender then prepared another glass of water even faster than he did before. He slid it to Black Lasso who then gulped down the glass as quickly as he did before.

“Another.”

“Right away.” The bartender then prepared a third glass as slid it to Black Lasso as he did before. He picked up the glass and began to drink it as he did before.

“What’s wrong you old fart? Can’t take a dash of salt?”

A hush fell into the saloon as everpony there looked at the pony who had spoken.

The stallion who had opened his big mouth was a local tough guy named Weedston. He was a slim but strong working earth pony. His coat was brown with patches of white all over and had a red mane and tail. He belonged to a family of ponies who specialized in the use of local herbs and plant life. Gathering tumbleweeds and finding uses for them was his talent as shown by his cutiemark. His secondary hobby on the other had was, as mentioned before, being the local tough guy. He and a few of his friends would show anypony who would cause a ruckus or a fuss just how this town saw ponies like that and in their minds Black Lasso was one such pony.

Black Lasso gulped down the rest of the water in his glass and looked dryly at the smart mouthed stallion. “Its alittle something called integrity boy.” He then got off of his stool and walked towards the young earth pony putting his dusty black hat on in the process. “It is sorta like pride. It seperates me from morons who want to dry out their brains with salt.”

“Oh that’s a load a hooey.” Scoffed Weedston. “You’re just past your prime you good for nothing hack. Nopony wants you here oldie. Get out of these parts.”

“Why the buck should I?” asked Black Lasso.

“You’re unwelcome here. That’s why.” Replied Weedston narrowing his eyes at the black stallion.

“I’m not goin’ anywhere boy.” Black Lasso firmly slammed his forehoof to the floor making himself clear.

“Yes you are.” The young stallion said raising his own hat.

“You think you can take me little colt?” he said with a laugh.

“Oh I think we can.” As soon as the stallion stopped speaking he was flanked by three or four other earth ponies.

“Oh really? You think so ha?” He asked. “Alright then.” Black Lasso then slowly placed his hat on the ground beside him.

“You got your bags packed yet you…” his retort was suddenly interrupted by a stool that was flying straight towards his face. His swatted it away and saw that Black Lasso was charging at him and charging fast. Weedston tried to swing his left forehoof at Black Lasso’s face. Black Hoof blocked it easily and countered with a right hook to the jaw. As he tried to recover from the blow and regain his footing Weedston found himself receiving another hard right hit to the jaw. Then before he had the chance to think he felt something slam into his chest and sent him flying backward before falling to the floor.

“Get up.” Black Lasso said tauntingly. “You’re not done with your lesson yet.”

Weedston slowly struggled to get himself off the ground. He was bleeding at the mouth and his jaw hurt fiercely. It felt like it was at least partially broken. After he spit some of the blood out of his mouth he charged and tried again to take a swing at the black stallion.

Black Lasso then easily stepped to the side dodging the incoming hoof. Weedston had put too much momentum into it. When Black Lasso dodged the swing he began spiraling past him and he spun around until he once again fell to the ground. He then once again slowly got up off of the floor.

“We’re gonna beat you silly.” He said in vain trying to hold on some semblance of pride. He turned around and he saw what was Black Lasso’s back.

“I don’t think so.” Black Lasso then raised his back legs and gave Weedston a buck right in the face. Along with the sounds of some bones crunching he flew backward again, this time out the saloon door and right smack in the middle of Appleloosa’s dusty streets.

Black Lasso placed his back hooves back on the ground and looked towards the other young stallions, the ones who showed their support of Weedston. With a smirk he looked them over and asked, “Well, which one of you is next?”
The young stallions for a few moments murmured amongst themselves. Everyone of them, at least once, gave Black Lasso a side glance with the fear inside them becoming more and more apparent.

This went on for a few minutes and it wasn’t long before Black Lasso got impatient. “So, you punks gonna buckin’ fight me or what?!”

The young stallions coward at Black Lasso’s yell and they frantically ran right through the saloon doors with their tales between their legs.

“Yeah you better run! Nopony messes with me!” Black Hoof yelled out the door as the stallions ran away. Turning around he saw all the other patrons of the saloon. Many of them were cowering or they were shaking as they tried to go about as they did before, trying to hide their fear. Seeing what was around Black Lasso snorted and flared his nostrils. “I guess all y’all ponies in this town are a bunch of big talkin’ yellow bellied chickens huh?” Black Lasso then laughed as he picked up his hat and placed it on his head. “I’ll leave y’all to your own then. I’ve got better things to do then be surrounded by a bunch of softies.” Black Lasso started making his way for the door laughing at the patrons every step of the way. When he raised his forehoof to open the door something instead pushed back before he even touched it.

A bright yellow light beamed into the saloon from behind the door. The door was slowly pushed open by the source of the light. Black Lasso took a few steps backward and tried to shield his eyes from it, it shown so brightly that it was almost blinding. He then heard the doors make their usual noises of swinging and squeaking. He then lowered his hooves and looked in amazement at what was before him.

It was a yellow ring. A small floating yellow ring that stood still as the doors swung and swayed behind it.

“What the hay is this?” Black Lasso asked himself as he stepped towards the ring.

The ring then flew forward and began approaching Black Lasso’s right forehoof.

“Black Lasso of Equestria……..” a demonic and terrible voice from the ring whispered. “You have the ability to inspire great fear…… Welcome to the Sinestro Corps.” The ring then latched itself to Black Lasso and everpony else began to shield themselves from the light as it became brighter and brighter.

After a few moments the light began to die down and those still in the saloon lowered their hooves looking at where the light had been coming from. There stood Black Lasso, breathing heavily as what had just happened began soaking in. He looked at himself an instantly noticed what he was now wearing. He was now wearing a white shirt with a back vest, which was then covered by a long black duster coat. On the top half of the outfit was the trademark yellow design of the Sinestro Corps uniforms with the corps symbol proudly shown in the center of his chest. Around his forelegs near his forehooves were several yellow bands. One of those on his right hoof was actually his ring now smoldering having found its bearer.

“Well now…..” Black Lasso said to himself as he admired his new clothes. “…….. ain’t this interesting?”

“Black Lasso……” a gravelly voice from the ring growled. “You have been chosen by your ring for your ability to inspire fear in those around you. The Sinestro Corps has an important mission that we need you to complete.”

“I see…….. what kind of mission are we talkin’ here?” Black Lasso inquired.

“You will see when you meet up with your allies.” Responded the voice growling more.

“How dangerous is it?” he asked raising an eyebrow.

“What difference does it make? This is a mission directly from our leader himself!” the voice yelled back seemingly insulted.

“Of course it makes a difference.” Black Lasso replied as a smile began to spread across his face. “I just want to know how much fun I’ll be having………”

As the yellow ring went to take it’s bearer the indigo paid Appleloosa no heed in its pursuit.

“Scanning for Compassion……” the ring repeated as it scanned the barren landscape.

Not too far away there was a scene familiar to the ponies of Appleloosa but one much less hostile than the first. This was something that would happen regularly at this time of the year. The visit from the local buffalo tribe. After the land dispute between the Buffalo tribe and the ponies of Appleloosa had ended it was agreed that every year when the buffalo would migrate near Appleloosa they would receive a share of the delicious local made apple pies. Both the buffalo and the settler ponies were happy with the arrangement and have since then maintained a peaceful and fruitful relationship.
The line for the pies was very long as buffalo young and old waited for their fresh and warm apple pies. The pace at the line was nice and steady. Each buffalo would walk to the table where the pies sat and a settler pony would put the finishing furnishings (or extras) on the pie to suite that particular buffalo’s taste. The settler pony would slide the pie to where the buffalo waited, the buffalo would catch the pie in its mouth, and lastly it would run off joyfully with their pie firm in their mouth. After a trio of little buffalo calves got their pies, the next in line came forward to receive hers.

“Here ya go Little Strongheart.” Said a mare as she slid a pie toward the edge of the table.

“Thank you very much.” Responded a young female buffalo calf with moderate orange hair and coat. After she picked up the pie in her mouth she waved a salutatory hoof at the ponies serving the pies and went on her way galloping towards where her village had set their camp. “I can’t wait to taste this when I get back to camp.” Little Strongheart thought to herself. “I heard that they made these extra special this year just for us. It will be so good.” She smiled to herself as she continued galloping towards her tribe’s temporary home.

When she was getting close to her camp she began to hear sobbing coming from nearby. She looked towards the source of the crying and she saw the three calves from before standing around in a circle. Two of them had pies in their mouths
while the third sat and hung his head towards the ground.

Little Strongheart slowed her pace and approached the group to see what was going on. When she reached them she set her pie on ground next to her and asked, “What’s wrong little one? Are you ok?”

The little calf turned around and looked at Little Strongheart with tears flowing from his eyes and streaming down his face. After he wiped the tears from his eyes and began saying still sobering, “I dropped my pie…..” he sniffled trying to catch his breath, “And they only make enough for each of us to have one…….” After he had finished his sobering resumed though softer now than before.

After hearing the calf’s plight she thought to herself about how to comfort the little one. If there was one thing that she couldn’t stand to see it was a little calf crying. Then almost on instinct she looked at her pie…….
“Here.” She reached for her pie with her hoof and slide it to the sobbing calf. “You can have mine.”
The young calf opened his eyes and stared at the pie for a second or so and then looked up at Little Strongheart asking, “Really??” he sniffled again, “Are you sure?”

“Yes I’m sure.” She responded with a smile, “I can wait for my next pie, and I feel bad seeing you not being able to have one so you can have mine.”
The tears stopped flowing and smiled back at Little Strongheart. He then picked up the pie with his mouth. After one last sniffle to clear up his system he looked up at Little Strongheart and said to her happily in a muffled voice, “Thanksh Lil’ Shtronghert!”

Little Strongheart watched as the once again happy calves ran towards the camp. She got up from where she sat and said to herself, “Well, I better return to the camp to.” She soon resumed her galloping to the camp. As she ran she looked around and then something flashed near the corner of her eye. She kept running but looked more intently around her, curious about what had caused that flash. Then in the distance she saw something. It was moving in high speed and was nearing her direction. As it flew it left a dark purple streak behind it. She fixed her gaze upon it as she ran not sure what to make of it.

The object then twirled and swirled in a circle and changed its course. It dashed out of Little Strongheart’s sight. Trying to think of what it might have been she kept running. Before long she saw a second flash of purple light. That was all she needed to tell her what was happening. The object was now flying behind her and was catching up fast. Instinctively Little Strongheart turned a sharp right and briefly got a look at the object before it too changed its course. It looked like a small ring. It shined a bright and deep purple that trailed behind it as it flew.

“Impossible…….” Little Strongheart thought to herself. “How is a ring flying by itself?” as she continued running and swerved around obstacles she continued thinking. “Maybe this has something to do with unicorn magic……. Maybe I can take it to a unicorn and see what it is.” She turned towards what was chasing her and saw how it easily dodged the various obstructions that she herself had just got through. “That is…. If I can catch it first.” Just then she looked ahead of her and saw a thick forest of rock formations up ahead. “That’s it!” Then she smiled and quickened her pace with the ring still following behind.

The ring gets closer and closer until they both enter the formations. Little Strongheart jumps off of the rocks turning and zigzagging every chance she got. The ring was not far behind dashing, twirling, and darting in pursuit of its target. This goes on and on for a long while. After a while the ring makes a turn around a pillar of rock. As it resumes its course a yell bursts and echoes through the formation.

“Gotcha!” Little Strongheart shouted as she jumped at the ring from the top of the rock pillar. Time seemed to slow down as she dove for the ring. She positioned herself into the prime tackling position but as she fell she noticed a strange feeling overcome her. It was a feeling she had known but what made it strange was how strong it was. She landed on the ground behind the ring instead of on top of it. Instead of the face plant of a failed tackled she landed gracefully with all four feet on the dusty ground.

The ring turned towards Little Strongheart as it chanted, “Little Strongheart of Equestria….. You have the capability to feel great compassion…” The rings then flew downward and slide itself onto her right front hoof. As it did her body became wrapped in bright indigo light. When the light faded wore she began to notice what she was now wearing. She wore clothes that resembled the traditional clothes of the shamans and medicine buffalo of the tribe. She still had her usual headdress but what was white had turned indigo. She turned backwards and noticed the large staff that was now strapped to her back. At the top was a large head, like a primitive lantern that gave off a steady purple light.

“Welcome to The Indigo Tribe.” The ring chanted to her mind.

Inside that very mind Little Strongheart’s thoughts were racing. She felt like she could take on anything and overcome any obstacle. The most prevalent feeling however was her newfound mission. Her new mission was, as a member of The Indigo Tribe, to spread goodwill and compassion throughout Equestria and beyond. As her thought continued to race a new voice came from the ring.

“Sister Strongheart.” A female voice called from the ring. “There is a vital and important task that The Indigo Tribe requires of you.”

“What is it?” Little Strongheart asked the ring.

“More details will be given at a later time. Your first objective is to meet up with lanterns of the other corps in your land.”

The voice responded. “Meet with them and hurry! The fate of our corps and possibly your very universe depends on it.”
With her mission in mind Little Strongheart opened her eyes with the symbol that had been etched on her chest now in her eyes she gave a calm and prompt reply of, “Nok…..”

After Little Stringheart flew with her new ring on her leg there was one more thing happening in that area that is worthy of note. In one spot that was not far away in that forest of rocks. In one place not too far away sat a sad and pitiful scene.

A buffalo calf. One that was the same age as Little Strongheart was on the ground, admist the dirt, tied up and trapt. The buffalo calf was of the same colors as Strongheart but wore a more flashy headdress that showed his rank admist his tribe. The calf once was strong and able bodied but now was weak and almost lifeless from hunger and thirst. He had horns, horns that were rather large for one of his age. When the indigo flash shot through the horizon he witnessed it.

"Please....." he begged weakly. "Help me......." the calf then coughed and coughed. He had to struggle just to let out those few words. His throat was so dry and his body was so weak that he could no longer struggle. His legs were tied together with strong rope by an uknown assailant. After the struggle he had been left there to lay and suffer admist the dirt. The calfnapper would once in awhile visit the calf. He would be taunted, laughed at, and made to watch as the one who had taken him eat and drink his fill. It was the worst kind of torture Equiestria had seen for many many centuries. Now after several days if not weeks of thirst and hunger his life was reaching its end.

One last time... the calf looked up. He saw something..... something strange. He wasn't sure if he was really seeing what his eyes were telling him. The sky...... seemed to be bending....... Bending in odd an weird ways. Part of the sky seemed to lunge forward violently only to struggle back. The tip of the bend in the sky was black against the orange sky. The black still pushed and pushed trying with all its might to break the sky.

The calf seeing this raised its head from the ground as high as he could.
"Please....." the calf called weakly. "Help me.... free me..... whatever you are....." the strain was too much for his neck and in second his head fell back to the ground with a loud thud. Again his eyes turned to the sky. It seemed now that...... whatever it was had broken through. The sky was repairing itself as something black and ominous started ts decent.

"Please........help me get free..." the calf then coughed again. This time the cough was louder and more violent than before. As the black and dark object decended upon him he called one last time. "I want to see her again.....Please..... I want to see her just one last time......... one more time before I......" His eyes became heavy. He was now too weak even to keep his eyelids open. As the world became back and the darkness decended he heard a voice say something to him.

The voice.... alien and ominous.... said simply, "Little Bighorn of Equestria......... Rise."

Chapter 8

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Ponies meet Boy Part 8

“Way to keep it subtle Twilight.” Spike said annoyed after he closed the door behind Blueben and Fluttershy.

“Pffffff. What are you talking about Spike?” Twilight replied walking back to where she placed Blueben’s book.

“You couldn’t have made your suspicions of him more obvious if you tried. What were gonna do? Interrogate him?” Spike said walking behind her.

“You know what I already told you about this book and the other one I saw.” Twilight opened the door to the room where she placed Blueben’s book. “For example, the very concept of serial killers is only known by the princesses and a select few among her associates and her advisers. I myself was only able to hear the term after translating some old documents from old unicorn English to our modern dialect.”

“Maybe one of them compiled that information into a book.” Spike retorted still following Twilight. “Maybe he compiled it into a book so that the information could be kept in one place. Maybe Blueben knows one of these ponies and that’s how he got the book. Besides, how do you know who knows about it and who doesn’t?”

“I read the term in those documents and asked Princess Celestia about it. She told me what the term meant, who knew about it, and about how the term originated. After that she told me to not go any further into the concept as it was of the worst kind. After seeing the documents where the term was used I could easily see why she said that.”

“I guess even a princess has things she doesn’t want to talk about.” Said Spike with a shrug.

“The question that has me riled is that how does Blueben even know what those are and how in Equestria did he really get an entire book on the subject when I only have read a small paper on it. The more I think about it the more I don’t like it.” Twilight said with anger and determination in her eyes.

“I am sure he has an explanation for it. Like I said he looks just like an ordinary guy to me.”

“Somehow I am doubting that Spike.” Twilight said sneeringly picking Blueben’s book with her magic.

After thinking a few minutes with his fingers against his chin a bolt of inspiration popped into his mind. When the idea made itself known to him he smirked a little bit and chuckled.

“What’s so funny Spike?” Twilight asked looking up from the book.

“I just thought of something funny.” Spike said again before laughing a little again.

“And what is that?” Twilight asked with her eyebrow raised.

“He’s a lot like you.” Spike said pointing a finger right at her.

“How!?.....” Twilight said barely knowing what to say. “What in the world made you think that?”

“Think about it Twilight.” Spike urged. “He has weird books nopony else would even know about, he seems to like having time to himself, and is fascinated by new and interesting things, like that knife for example.” Spike then placed one hand behind his back and raising the other surely imagining himself very clever at this point as evidenced by the reemergence of his smirk. He then reopened his eyes and pointed his finger straight at the purple unicorn “Just. Like. You.”

Twilight blushed a little in embarrassment she tried her best at hiding before responding saying, “That’s just crazy Spike.” As she put her face again into the mysterious book she couldn’t help but admit to herself that he had a point, as much as she hated to admit it. With her eyes back in her book she continued silently reading its contents hoping for some breakthrough in her investigation.

“Is there anything else you need me to do Twilight?” Spike asked as they walked back into the Library’s main area.

“Not right now Spike.” Twilight replied. “You can go have some time to yourself. I’m going to keep reading this book.”

“Would it be alright if I were to go and see what Applebloom and her friends are up to?” Spike asked.

“Go ahead Spike. That’s fine.” Twilight said before setting the book on a podium and continued reading.

“Alright, I’ll be home in a couple of hours Twilight.” Spike said making waving goodbye.

“See you later Spike.”

*********

“Well, that was interesting wasn’t it?” Blueben said as he and Fluttershy walked into the town square.

“Oh it was. I could only imagine what those creatures could have gone through to create such a thing.” Fluttershy replied hanging her head slightly.

“Well, the only way for us to find out would be if we were to talk to the thing itself, but since nopony has seen it since the incident I don’t see a meeting happening anytime soon.” Blueben said adjusting the glasses on his face. “What are you thinking of doing today Fluttershy?”

“Well, it’s getting pretty close to lunchtime so I’m going to be heading home to feed my animals. My bunny Angel gets pretty cranky when I don’t give him his lunch on time. What about you?”

“I was thinking I would go find Applejack and see about getting some apples.” Blueben said licking his lips slightly. “After that I think I am going to browse around Sugar Cube Corner. I have never been to many bakeries back in Waterbridge.”

“You mean Sugar Cube Corner was the first bakery you have been to?” Fluttershy asked surprised.

“Almost yeah.” Blueben responded. “I had been to some similar places but that bakery you have here is very unique. Just the architecture alone warrants enough for a second look.”

“Well, I am happy to see you like it here.” Fluttershy said with a giggle.

“Believe it or not I am. Despite a few annoyances here and there I really like this town. It’s a very nice place to live.” Said Blueben with enthusiasm.

“Well, Blueben I better head off to get back home and get some hungry animals fed. It was very nice to see you again. Have a good day Blueben and thank you for the breakfast.” Said Fluttershy as she starting to fly back towards her home.

“See you later Fluttershy. I look forward to seeing you again.” Replied Blueben waving a hoof in the direction Fluttershy flew. With another lick of his lips he looked around the square with one thing on his mind. “Now about those apples……..”

********

Meanwhile………….

When Blueben and Fluttershy were thinking about what they should do for lunchtime, there were others who were just getting finished.

“Thank you for lunch mommy!” shouted a little light purple unicorn filly with a blonde mane and tail.

“You’re welcome Dinky.” Said a grey pegasus with matching blonde mane and tail. Her cutiemark was a group of bubbles and her voice was almost boyish as she spoke. She nuzzled against her offspring as they enjoyed their last moments together on their breaks. Often times for the fillies at Cheerilee’s school they would get out a bit earlier than most of the other ponies in town for lunch. Originally this was just an ordinary recess but after many of the colts and fillies spent their time eating instead of playing Cheerilee decided to make that recess into a lunch break instead.

Dinky’s mommy, known as Derpy Hooves, often didn’t get lunch breaks from her job that would be at the same time as Dinky’s, but every once in a while the times match up and they have lunch together. Amusingly, whenever they have lunch together they would always share a small batch of her mother’s favorite food.

“Mmmmmmmm! Those muffins were great mommy!” Dinky exclaimed as she devoured the last bit of hers.

“The Doctor gave them to me when I bumped into him this morning.” Derpy replied. “He said he was going to wait until tonight but since we bumped into each other he thought he might aswell let me have them early.”

“By bumping into him you mean that literally don’t you mommy.” Dinky said giggling.

Derpy rubbed the back of her head with her hoof, her eyes crossed and derped, her lips scrunched together while diving into her mouth, and her face turned completely red.

Seeing her mother’s face made little Dinky laugh even more.

Looking at her daughter soon Derpy’s face returned to normal and she started laughing to. The two rolled together on the ground laughing and giggling with warmth and comfort.

“Dinky!” a mare called. “Lunch break is over now. It’s time to get back to class.” The dark rose colored mare was motioning one of her hooves towards the door as numerous young fillies and colts scrambled inside.

“I’ll see you later mommy.” Dinky gave her mom a brief nuzzle before turning towards the nearby school house. “Good luck at work! See you at home!”

“Bye Dinky!” Called Derpy. “Love you!”

“Love you to mommy!” Dinky yelled back with a final wave before running into the school house along with the others.

Once her daughter was inside the school house the mare picked up a bag that was lying next to her and she flew away. As she flew to her next destination she started to ruffle through her bag and what were inside it. After a few seconds she pulled out an envelope. It was just in time to because just as her head rose from the bag she noticed she was flying straight at a tree. She just barely flew around it and continued her flight. Before long she saw a small mailbox next to a small cottage near the Everfree Forest. The cottage was yellow and had animals all round it. Derpy located the mailbox next to the cottage and dropped the mail addressed to the mare living there inside it.

“There. One more done.” Derpy said to herself as she flew away from the cottage to the next mailbox on her list. Her next stop was in very crowded area in town so she had to fly low so she could see the box she needed to deliver mail to.

“HEY!! DERPY!!!”

Distracted by the loud voice that called to her she ran face first into a flagpole. She saw stars and muffins as she tried frantically to regain her vision. Once her vision had finally been restored she looked towards the voice and saw an all brown stallion with an hourglass cutiemark wave at her.

“Hey Doctor!!” Derpy replied flying towards the familiar face.

“I am so sorry about that! Are you alright?” he asked frantically while looking for bruises on Derpy’s head.

“It’s ok Doctor. I’m fine.” Derpy told him.

“Phew…. Thank goodness.” Doctor Whooves replied with a noticeable British accent. “Anyway, fancy bumping into you again today. How are your rounds going?”

“I only have a few left to do today. The mail load is pretty light today.” She said to him motioning to her bag.

“Good good. Are we still on for dinner this evening?” He asked.

“Yes! I’ve been looking forward to it all week!” said Derpy practically jumping at the idea.

“Great!” exclaimed Mr. Whooves. But then he started to blush a bit and rub the back of his neck nervously. “Um…… Derpy……...”

“Yes Doctor?” Derpy said with curiosity all over her face and crossed eyes.

“Um…… If you’re not going to be too long on your rounds…….um…….. could you meet me early…….. um …….. ON THE BRIDGE……. You know……. The one ……..out….side….of………town?”

“Sure! Of course I can!” replied Derpy with another jump. “I’ll be there as soon as I get my deliveries done ok?”

“Good! It’s a plan then!” after he said that Doctor Whooves suddenly went and gave Derpy a very tight hug, wrapping his forelegs around her neck.

Derpy couldn’t help but blush from Doctor Whooves’s hug. This was as close as she had ever been to the stallion from Trottingham.

After several silent second the Doctor finally let go of Derpy. “I’ll see you later then. Goodbye Derpy.”

“See you later……. Doctor…..” Derpy said dumbfounded. She then quickly shook her head wildly getting herself and her focus together. “No no! FOCUS Derpy! Finish deliveries, then The Doctor. Finish the deliveries, THEN go to the Doctor! Alright…….” With a hardy blow of her nostrils she flew back into the air and zoomed towards her next stop. With her bag at her side and her mind racing with thoughts of the Doctor she zooooooooomed through Ponyville dropping of her final deliveries at lightning speeds. Many of the ponies she delivered to weren’t surprised that she was going so fast…. What surprised them was that she was going so fast…… AND got the deliveries all to the correct places. They were all astonished at this. They had never seen her do her job this well before. There must be something different with her today, they all thought to themselves. And certainly there was something different. Not only would she be going to meet Doctor Whooves after work but later that night she would be going on the first date that she has been on for a long time. It was her chance. HER chance to finally maybe……JUST maybe…… find the one who would help her raise Dinky. Find that somepony who cared for her despite her odd faces and her eyes. In her mind that somepony could be…. Might be…….. Doctor Whooves.

All the while she dropped those deliveries her mind was on that Doctor. Ever since he had moved to Ponyville from Trottingham Derpy’s life had been slowly but surely getting better. He was nice to her, he helped her out, he more than once even baby sat for her and helped take care of Dinky. He had done so much for her once they started hanging out together and getting to know each other. They hung out privately before but this was going to be the first “official” date. She was nervous but at the same time more excited than ever.

When her mind returned to the real world she found her mailbag with no more mail to be delivered. She was startled to find this and a slight gasp came from her lips. She plunged her head into the bag and looked all around the inside of it. She was confused when she saw there were no holes. She stopped flying and looked behind her. There were no envelopes blowing in the wind or getting trampled in the streets below. All the envelopes…….. were delivered. With her apparent increase in speed and surprising ability she managed to get all the mail delivered and to all the right ponies.

“Wow……… That was easy for once.” Derpy said to herself with her eyes still crossed in surprise. With her mail done she zoomed out of Ponyville. She flew straight for the tree Doctor Whooves had specified. The tree slowly came into view and when it did Derpy Hooves stopped herself. When she stopped she simply looked at the tree. It was a beautiful tree, one that had been in Ponyville for many many years. There were rumors about it. Rumors that said that the tree had special properties, properties that no other tree in Equestria had. Derpy did not remember what exactly the rumors were but even if she did she probably would not have thought of them this day. As she looked she could make out the outline of The Doctor who was sitting patiently under it. When she saw him her heart jumped a bit and her face turned red.

“I wonder why The Doctor wanted me to meet him hear.” Derpy thought to herself. “I hope it isn’t something bad……” she looked towards the ground now as the possibility entered her mind. “No,….. it couldn’t be. This is The Doctor who asked me to come here. Whatever it is it must be important……” She looked back towards the tree under which The Doctor. She smiled and once more her face turned red. “Whatever it is….. I know he wouldn’t hurt me….. that’s why I…….” Just when she was about to finish her thought a violet pink light seemed to start emanating from the tree. The light had caught her off guard and surprised her.

“What’s going on?” She asked herself. “Lights don’t come from trees.” As she narrowed her eyes at the tree she seemed to notice something. The light was getting brighter and brighter. Her perception was correct. It was getting brighter, but only because it’s true source was coming closer to her. As the light grew brighter she noticed something in its center. It looked like a ring. A very beautiful ring. It approached slow and caringly. As it got closer the ring gained speed. When it was only mere feet away from Derpy it began swirling around her.

A voice came from the ring. “Derpy Hooves of Equestria…….” The ring called. “You have great love in your heart……”

“What?” Derpy asked dumbfounded and blushing. Before she could speak again the ring expanded and slid itself onto her right hoof. The light from the ring soon enveloped her and grew exponentially in intensity. She could feel something wrap around herself but because of the light’s brightness she could not see what it was. It quickly got so bright that she had to tightly close her eyes to keep from going blind.

Slowly the light dissipated and Derpy after a few blinks to clear her vision was able to open her eyes. She slowly looked at herself to see what it was she felt. She saw her uniform for her new corps. It was very tight against her but not inflexible or unfitting. Her entire front was covered with her corps symbol at the center of her chest.

“Woah!” she exclaimed as she felt her new fabric. It felt smooth and silky against her fur. She felt all of it with her hooves. She quickly realized thought that her hooves were also covered. Once she saw this she checked her face. Nothing there, but she did find what felt like a tiara on her head, a small one but an elegant one. It only had a single crystal in its center. Her whole front, her legs, and her hooves were all completely covered by her new clothes. Her back was a different story. Her back was exposed, presumably for her wings. The cloth formed a collar against her neck and was connected to her sleeves. It left a small window of her chest in the front just above the Star Sapphire insignia. The collar split at her back with the fabric opening at the edge of the back of her shoulders. The opening went past her wings and all the way down to just an inch or so above her tail. Normally ponies like her don’t wear clothes but the outfit once she realized what she was in made her face red all around. Once she was finished checking her clothes a new voice came from the ring.

“Welcome Derpy.” Said and strong and feminine female voice. “Despite your shortcomings this ring has chosen you to be a part of our corps. The love in your heart is very strong. You will need that strength for your assignment as a member of the Star Sapphire.”

“This is so sudden!” Derpy exclaimed. “Who are you!? What’s going on? Why was I picked?”

“Calm down Derpy.” The voice responded. “We are The Star Sapphire Corps. Our mission is to spread love through the universe, keep it alive, and to defend it when it is in danger. Now, there is a great threat to our corps in your world and we need you to help stop it.”

“But…..” Derpy interjected. “I have a filly, my daughter…… I can’t just abandon her…… and I there is someone else I need to meet right now…..”

“I know this is hard.” The voice continued. “But this mission is to protect your daughter and the one you love. If he isn’t stopped your loved ones and your entire world will be in great danger.”

“Really? Is it that bad?” Derpy asked.

“Yes. He may be foreign to you and your world but him and the legacy in which he rose from is something our corps and other are too familiar with. He is a successor to forces we cannot let go unchecked.”

“Alright.” Sniffled Derpy fighting back a tear. “I’ll do what you need me to do, for my daughter and the one I love…. But I need to take care of something first…..” She looked once again towards the tree.
“I understand.” The voice said back to her. “Do what you need to do and I will guide you on what to do from there.”

“Thank you.” Derpy then flew towards the tree as fast as she could with a tear beginning to form in her eye.

Doctor Whooves was sitting peacefully and patiently waiting for Derpy. Thankfully for him the wait would not last much longer. He saw a pink streaming coming fast in his direction, but before he had the chance to gasp Derpy landed gracefully in front of him. He couldn’t believe what he was seeing.

“Derpy…..” The Doctor said in awe. “You look ……. Amazing…”

“Doctor…….” She said with a tear starting to run down her cheek. “I don’t think I’ll be able to make it to dinner tonight. Something has come up.”

The Doctor approached Derpy and put his hoof comfortingly on her shoulder. “Derpy, what’s going on? What’s wrong? Please don’t cry Derpy you can tell me. What happened?”

“Something came up.” Derpy sniffled with another tear forming. “I am so sorry for this on such short notice. I am so sorry about not being able to go tonight. I know you were looking forward to it.”

“It’s ok Derpy. Just tell me what you need to tell me.” The Doctor told her trying his best to comfort her.

“We’re in danger…..” Derpy said tears still forming. “I need you to keep a close eye on Dinky. If what I just heard is true then we might be in really big danger.”

“Don’t worry Derpy!” The Doctor replied standing tall and ramming one of his hooves against his chest. “I will lay my life on the line to keep Dinky safe! I swear on my heart that nothing will hurt her.”

“Thank you…… and Doctor.” Derpy called.

“Yes?” The Doctor said back to her.

Next thing he knew her lips were against his. He was aghast. He could not believe it. His heart pounded. He did not know how to respond at all.

Derpy parted her lips from The Doctor’s. “Doctor…..” she began with another sniffle, “I love you, keep yourself and Dinky safe.” With that she turned and quickly took off into the sky with a pink streak following her.

“Derpy! DERPY!” The Doctor yelled after her. His shouts found no reply was she quickly became out of earshot. With a sigh he fell backward to the ground right on his flank. He took his mouth and pulled towards himself a bag he had set against the tree. With his hooves he opened its flaps and lifted out of it a small decretive box. “I love you to, Derpy.”

*********

With the final Lantern chosen the darkness of night soon fell on the inhabitants of Ponyville. In this peaceful night, which was surely one of Luna’s masterpieces, no creatures were stirring or getting too active.

That is….. besides an exception or two.

One of those exceptions was a certain white bunny. An expressive and ambitious little follow who acted like he was larger than in reality. Day after day Angel bunny would hear Fluttershy talk about scary things or places she was oh sooooo afraid to go to. He wasn’t scared of anything she talked or cried about. He could stand up to anything, tonight he was gonna prove it.

His plan was to go as far into the Everfree Forest alone as he could get and still get back to Fluttershy’s cottage before morning. As the night went on and on he did a pretty good job of that. He avoided bloodthirsty creatures, overcame rugged and unstable terrain, and even laughed in the face of the ghosties. This bunny was on fire! He felt as if nothing could stop him. Eventually he found himself standing in front of some old ruins deep in the forest. He entered the ruined castle smirking defiantly at the possible dangers that lay before him.

As expected the castle was totally empty. The roofs atop the hallways and rooms were riddled with holes. Some of them as small as a worm, other holes were entire walls missing. Greens and plants could be seen growing around some of the pillars. Here and there laid puddles of water still there from the last time Ponyville had rain. Angel bunny explored and explored climbing the first set of stairs that caught his eye. He climbed and climbed and climbed until he reached the room at the very top of the tallest tower there. He smirked and gloated in his mind as he entered the room in the tower. It was large and circular. On all sides there were windows were the moonlight seeped in. Near the back of the room there was what looked like a pedestal. A small and wide one.

Angel’s next goal was to climb on top of it so as to seal his victory. Just as he began to approach it he heard heavy steps from towards the door. As soon as he heard it he dove and ran for the nearest cover. He was not afraid of the noise. He just knew it would be a stupid idea to leave yourself open to a potential threat. Just when he had found cover the door began to open.

The door opened to a figure totally in darkness. The moonlight that entered behind caused it to be completely wrapped in shadow. Angel could not see any details of it other than the fact that it was tall and seemed to be carrying something.

The creature took slow and audible steps into the room. It walked with its back straight and its face only facing forward. It would occasionally shift its shoulders to accommodate the heavy load it was carrying.

Angel watched at the creature observed the room. When it reached the pedestal the creature set its large sack onto it like it was a table (which it kinda was, it was a really wide pedestal). The creature walked around it with the bag turning with him. He positioned himself so that he faced the door. His back was to Angel who became even more curious at what he was seeing.

The thing opened its bag and began to lay its contents on the makeshift stone table. It pulled out various metal objects. Several of them were sharp and shined in the moonlight. Some of them were shaped like tubes extending from some weird handle. Angel had never seen things like these before. Then the creature pulled out what looked like a belt that was filled to capacity with sharp implements. The creature ran its hand on the belt until he found an empty slot. It held the belt up in the air above its head with its thumb marking the empty space. The creature shook its head as the bet was set back down. It then pulled out something else. It was a curved object with cloth wrapping on one end, the rest look like it was made of wood with something metal separating them. The creature pulled on the end wrapped in cloth and the blade of its toy was revealed. It shone brightly in the moonlight as he held it above him.

A small chuckle escaped the creature’s lips before the blade was sheathed and placed back on the table with the rest of what he brought.

“What a wonderful spot.” The creature said in a low voice. “I am gonna like hanging out here. The moon in the windows, a table of grand proportions, as well as one hell of a view.” The creature said with delight. “The perfect place to set up my little slice of an armory.” He laughed at what he had just said.

Angel thought it was kinda lame to be quite honest. He was also not thrilled in some big stupid THING interrupting his triumph. Plus he took the spot he was gonna celebrate on too. He stamped his itty bitty foot in anger.

The creature turned his head towards the sound. Angel’s expression of frustration had not gone unnoticed. The creature turned around and faced where Angel was hiding.

“What do we have here?” The creature said aloud. “What an interesting surprise.”

Angel came out from his hiding spot. He saw no point in hiding from this thing anymore.

“Hmpf, what a cute little rabbit.” The creature chuckled. “Does the little rabbit want a carrot. I am sure I can dig one up for you.”

Angel easily caught the hint of taunting in the creature’s tone. It bugged him to no end. At that he picked up a small rock and threw it straight at the intruder.

The creature tilted his head and easily dodged the rock. “Defiant little shit aren’t you?” The creature said tauntingly.

Angel flared his nostrils and took a quick look towards the table, still curious as to what the creature brought with him.

Once again his actions did not go unnoticed. “So I see you are curious about my toys.” The creature said. “I suppose I am obligated to satiate that curiosity.” He reached for the table and wrapped his fingers around one of the things he brought. “A shame you are not a cat. It would have been such a good opportunity for a verbal joust.” Then he picked up the object from the stone table and held it with both hands. “Let me introduce you to one of my personal favorites.”

Like a few of the other objects it had what looked like a metal barrel. The end of the barrel was pointed straight at Angel revealing a hole on its end.

“This is called a Tommy gun.” The creature explained as if he was talking to a child. “You want a demonstration?”

Angel wasn’t scared. He swept his back foot in the ground like a bull ready to charge. He even flared his nostrils like one.

“Atta boy! Now hold still for me. This won’t take very long.” A grin appeared onto the creature’s face. He quickly pulled the trigger.

Before Angel knew what was going on something flew past his ear, taking some of his fur with it. Small explosions and sounds of ricochet starting pounding in his ear. Things were flying all around him, rocks, dust, and multiples of the thing that had taken a bit of his fur. He would hate to have to actually admit this….. but he knew it was time to run.

As fast as his legs could carry him Angel ran for the door. He darted under the stone table and ran right in the middle of the room. The projectiles flying from the creature’s strange weapons were right behind him. They were only mere millimeters from taking a piece of Angel’s flesh with them to the stone floor. When Angel finally managed to get past the door the projectiles stopped following him.

The Figure then walked towards one of the windows where he could see the exit of the castle. Soon enough there was Angel, running as fast as a hare could ever run. The creature opened the window and stepped in the opening.

“THAT’S RIGHT! RUN YOU LITTLE MAGGOT!” The creature yelled at the top of its lungs. “RUN YOU LITTLE SNOTTY HAIRBALL! Next time you come back bullet holes will be the LEAST of your fears!”

Chapter 9

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Ponies Meet Boy Part 9
by Stoltzy, Nov 9, 2012, 11:56:29 AM
Literature / Poetry / Narrative / Traditional Fixed Forms
Ponies meet Boy Part 9

The sun was bright and the air was clear in Twilight's Library. The sun's rays finally penetrate the windows of Twilight Sparkle's bedroom thanks to the aid of a certain purple dragon.

"Good Morning Twilight." Said Spike as he opened the drapes.

"Oh I how love Princess Celestia but there are times where I really don't like who she works with." Said Twilight trying to have her blankets hide her from the sunlight.

"Come on Twilight. I already made breakfast. Come out and get your skinny plot done there before it gets cold. I put a lot of effort into this one." Spike urged trying to pull the covers off of her.

Twilight yawns long and loudly. "Alright Spike. I guess it's time to see what you've concocted this morning."

Spike gets off the bed as Twilight rises from the covers with a stretch. After some lip smacking and some hair brushing she comes down the stairs looking like she always does. She walks steadily right into the kitchen where Spike is already sitting in his place at a table full of food.

"You went all out this time didn't you?" Twilight asked as she sat down at the table.

"Well, I wanted to try a few things." Spike replied with his face buried in a newspaper.

Twilight starts eating her food and notes the taste. What she bit into was a hay sandwich but it tasted a little different than usual. The bread had a bit more of a crispy texture but inside the sandwich it was slightly juicy. It tasted good and was still hay and veggies just as Twilight liked but she certainly could tell the different from the usual. "What exactly did you do differently?"

Spike put the paper down and rubbed his finger against his chin. "Well, I thought I would heat up the bread to see what would happen with it. That tasted good so I went along with that. Then I decided to melt some butter into the sandwich to add a little more juice to it. Every time I eat one of those things it's always so dry and blegh. So I decided to mix it up a bit."

"It tastes good Spike but why butter?" Twilight asked quizitively continuing to eat her sandwich.

"……. Because it was the only thing that I tried it with that tasted good." Spike said raising the newspaper back to his face.

"I gotta say. I have never seen you into the paper before." Twilight said looking at Spike.

"Oh I know that but when it came this morning it had a wicked headline."

"Really? Could I take a look Spike?"

"Sure." He slides the paper over to Twilight.

Twilight then picks up the paper with her magic and takes a look at the front page. When she sees the front page she expresses a gasp. Then with her magic she folds up the paper and hastily finished her breakfast.

"Twilight! Where are you going?" Spike called.

"To Rainbow Dash's place! She needs to see this."

*******

At Rainbow Dash's house.

As she does most mornings Rainbow Dash is up bright and early. She starts her day doing stretched and joggings in place. She always keeps herself prepared for the opportunity to show her stuff. She would get on her hind legs and stretch to touch them with her forelegs, she would flap in place, do pushups, and other exercises. Finally, she would then follow up that rigorous morning training with something she always does…. Nap. Today though, she won't get to nap.

"RAINBOW DASH!" Twilight yelled up to her in excitement.

"Jeez Twilight no need to be so loud." Rainbow Dash replied with rubbing her ears. "What's up?"

"Have you seen this morning's paper? The Equestrian Daily?" Twilight asked holding up the paper with her magic?

"Pfffff! Come on Twilight you know I never read the paper. Nothing but boring weather and crop schedules and blah blah blah." Then Rainbow Dash finds the paper shoved right into her face by Twilight's magic.

"I think you better read this one."

Rainbow Dash looks at the paper. She turns it upside down, to the left, then the right, and even flips through a few pages. "It still looks the same as it always did Twilight."

"Look very carefully at the front page. Especially the headline and the picture." Twilight said with concern.

Rainbow Dash looked at the front page very carefully. Then she noticed what Twilight was talking about? "Griffon rampages in Manehattan, several severely injured and with deep burns. Thankfully no fatalities have been reported." She looks at the picture. When she sees what is on it her mouth drops open and her eyes widen. "Is that……. Gilda?!"

"Yes, I am afraid so. Notice some things about her?"

Rainbow Dash looks even closer at the picture. "What in the hay is that coming out of her mouth…… and what is she wearing?"

"I was hoping you'd take more notice at what was coming out of her mouth. To me…… it looks like……." Twilight bites her lip hardly being able to believe what she is about to say. "Blood…….."

Rainbow Dash with the paper in her hooves dive bombs onto the ground in front of Twilight. She quickly gets up and gives her the paper back. "You think she's hurt?!"

"I don't know Rainbow." She lifts up the paper so they both can look at the picture. "You see that there?" Twilight points at the picture with her hoof. "She doesn't look hurt. It still looks like blood. Weird thing is though…… it looks like she's doing that on purpose. Kinda like how a dragon breathes fire."

"What? That mean she's some dragon griffon now? How the hay do you breathe blood anyway?" Rainbow Dash starts rubbing her head in frustration. "Either way this makes no sense at all. Just what in Celestia's name is going on in there?"

"I don't know. I really don't know." Twilight looks and sees the train chugging off into the distance. "Wait a second……. I don't remember a train being scheduled to come this early in the morning. Let's go check this out Rainbow."

"Ok." Rainbow replied solemnly and with frustration in her voice.

The two arrive quickly at the train station. The crowd of ponies there are a bit thinner than usual due to it being so early. The sleek and smooth benches were at their usual places and the clerk was at her usual post as well. What they didn't expect to see was Applejack waiting by the train tracks.

"Hey, AJ!" called Rainbow Dash. "What gives? What are ya doing here?"

"I came to pick up my cousin." AJ said whilst rubbing her eyes. "We just got word last night that he was coming. I'm as surprised about being here as you are."
"Which cousin is coming?" Twilight asked.

"You'll see…" replied Applejack. "Here comes the train now."

The train screeches to a halt in its unexpected stop. The doors opened up and several ponies began to step out of the train. Among the many ponies leaving train there was a familiar face who began to spoke with a familiar accent.

"HELLO PONYVILLE!" neighed a yellow pony with a brown and blonde mane. "Hey cousin! I'm here!"
"Hey Braeburn. Why did you come so suddenly? What's going on?" AJ inquired looking worried.

"There's a fierce ruckus that stirred up in Appleloosa. Things were getting' kinda crazy around there so I thought I could visit ya. Just to take a break and wait for things to calm down." Braeburn then began taking his large dusty bags and setting them outside of the train.

"Don't tell me it's the buffalo again." AJ said looking even more worried.

"Nah. The buffalo are actually the least of our problems." Braeburn said casually. "The real problem is with Black Lasso."

"Who is Black Lasso?" Twilight asked.

"Black Lasso is a nasty bounty hunter who often visits Appleloosa." Applejack explained. "I only saw him once myself and I could tell he was a foul stallion. He has a habit of making trouble where he goes. Everypony in Appleloosa is scared of him."

"I see. What did Black Lasso do to cause such a ruckus?" Twilight asked getting more and more curious.

"Well…." Braeburn began. "….. he went to hang out at the salt saloon like he always does. From what I heard when he got there some ponies picked a fight with him. After they got thrown out by him ……. This weird……. Glowing thing….. came down and SWOOPED into there. Next thing I know there's this huge yellow flash and he zooms up into the air like a pegasus out of school."

"Black Lasso's a pegasus?" Twilight asked getting more intrigued.

"No he isn't. He's an earth pony and that's just it." Braeburn said with concern in his voice. "That's why everypony was so freaked out. They were all wondering just what that yellow thing was and how the hay Black Lasso was able to fly. It started scarin' ponies. Business began to really slow down as they all got more and more paranoid. They started shutting themselves in their houses and not coming out even for supper. After that I thought it would be a good time to hang out 'round here till they all calmed down."

"Ok…… now this is really weird." Said Rainbow Dash. "First Gilda's breathing blood like a dragon and now an earth pony just flies into the air like any regular pegasus. This day just keeps getting more and more weird…."

Twilight's eyes started widening as Rainbow Dash finished what she said. "Braeburn….. where were you when that all happened?"

"I was across the street pickin' up some supplies from the store just minding my own business." Braeburn replied.

"Ok, did you happen to see anything on one of Black Lasso's legs as he flew out?" Twilight asked pressingly.

Braeburn started rubbing his chin trying to think. "You know what…… he did. I saw something that was around his right foreleg."

"What was it?" Twilight asked again becoming more and more sure of what was going on.

"It was….. what looked like this yellow ring." Braeburn said with his face calming. "It had this weird symbol on it. It was too far from where I was though to tell what exactly the symbol looked like."

"Did it look anything like this?" Twilight asked showing Braeburn the picture of Gilda from the paper. She pointed at the ring on Gilda's finger and the one on her chest.

"It looked a little like that but that ain't the symbol." Braeburn responded pointing at the picture. "It didn't have those horn lookin' lines there."

"Are you sure about that?" asked Twilight again.

"Absolutely." Braeburn replied confidently. "I may not have been able to pick out exact details but I know for a fact that symbol in this picture wasn't it."

"I see." Twilight starts rubbing her chin and looks at the picture. "Very interesting……"

"What are ya thinkin' Sugarcube?" Applejack replied. "You think you got an idea what's goin' on?"

"I don't know what exactly is happening… but I think that these two things happening is not a coincidence." Twilight said while looking more at the newspaper. "Both of these weird events involved some kind of ring…… aswell as strange things happening that shouldn't."

Applejack looks over her shoulder and sees the picture of Gilda. "Woah!" Her face widens with surprise at the picture. "Is that Gilda in that picture?"

"Yeah it is." Said Rainbow Dash crossing her forelegs. "Apparently she went berserk all over the place in Manehattan attacking several ponies before flying off. Apparently she can breathe blood like she's a dragon or something……"

"Well that don't make no sense a'tall. How the hay does she have blood comin' outta her mouth without being hurt?" Applejack said rubbing her head.

"I don't know….. but I am sure we'll find out soon enough." Twilight said as she continues looking closely at the picture looking for clues.

"Hey, did you hear what happened at that concert at Canterlot yesterday?" A teen filly asked her friend sitting next to her.

"I did. That's so weird….." said another teen filly.

"Wait!" Twilight called to the teenage fillys. "What happened at Canterlot?"

"You mean you didn't hear about it?" said the first teenage filly. "Well, there was a big concert last night at Canterlot. Octavia and her orchestra plus DJPON3 did a performance together last night."

"Then……." The second filly continued. "After the performance Octavia and DJ just flew out of the arena with a weird light behind them. The other band members had no idea what was going on or what happened."

"What kind of glow did they have?" Twilight asked.

"Octavia had a bright blue glow on her and DJPON had a green glow." Replied the first filly. "Everypony who was there just though it was just some special effects, but when the band was asked about it they all said that those green and blue lights before and after the show were not part of the planned effects."

"What happened before the show?" Twilight asked again.

"These Blue and Green lights started flying all around the arena before going onto the stage." Went on the second filly. "Then for the whole show Octavia was glowing blue and DJ was glowing green."

"Ok, there is no way that this is all some coincidence." Twilight turned to the others with the paper in tow. "Thank you for helping me out." She said bowing to the two teens before turning to her friends. "According to the article Gilda had a red glow to her, according to Braeburn Black Lasso had a yellow glow on him, and according to those teens Octavia and DJPON3 had a blue and green glow respectively. I know that Octavia is an earth pony and that DJ is a unicorn so neither of them should be able to fly either."

"Just what the hay is happening here?!" Rainbow Dash shouted. "Those ponies should not be flying and rings shouldn't either!"

"Then….. there must be something to what that pony I saw earlier said after all." Said Applejack rubbing her chin more.

"What did that pony say?" Twilight asked jolting her face towards AJ.

"Well it was a stallion, scared out of his mind, babblin' about some crazy unicorn dressed in orange that started terrorizing Hoofington." Applejack said. "I think he mentioned that crazy unicorn bein' Trixie. At the time I thought he went plumb crazy I thought there would be no way Trixie could do that…. But now it looks like he might not have lost his marbles after all."

"Yeah. This all happening is definitely not some coincidence." Twilight said with determination on her face. "I better report all of this to Celestia immediately………"

-----------
Elsewhere in Ponyville……

A mare draped in a black coat and a wide brimmed black hat started walking into town. On her back was a long object that was wrapped completely in red cloth. Nearby there was a pony watching as this blonde mare entered town.

"OH MY GOSH!" Pinkie Pie dashed over and shoved her face right at the mare going under her wide brimmed hat. "Hi! I'm Pinkie Pie! What's your name? What's that thing on your back? Why do you wear all black? What does your cutiemark look like? Where are you from? You have a really nice mane. Do you like parties? I love parties. I should totally throw you one!"

"Uh……" the black clothed pony nervously. "You don't need to do anything for me….. I'm just looking for somepony."

"Oh! Who are you looking for? I know everypony in Ponyville." Pinkie Pie replied with her tail wagging.

"I'm sure you do……" She whispered sarcastically under her breathe. "I'm looking for a blue pony." She began, "He's about this tall, brown mane, wears glasses, bit of a smart alec, and probably curses a fair amount."

"Oh! Oh! Oh! I know who you're talking about!" Pinkie said excitedly jumping up and down. "You're looking for Blueben right?" she leans rather awkwardly close to her.

"Yes, that's exactly who I'm looking for. My name's Dark Light. I'm a close friend of his."

Pinkie Pie grabs one of Dark Light's forehooves and starts shaking it vigorously. "Hey Dark Light! I'm Pinkie Pie. Any friend of Blueben's is a friend of mine!" Pinkie Pie continues to shake her hoof rapidly until Dark Light stops her and lets go of her hoof.

"Nice to meet you Pinkie." She says trying to regain some control of her shaken forehoof. "If you know where he is could you take me to him? I've never been here before so I have no idea where to go."

"Sure! Follow me!" Pinkie Pie said with a bounce. After that she began bouncing towards the direction of Blueben's home with Dark Light following behind her.

"So……. Pinkie…" Dark Light said slowly, "How do you know Blueben? How'd you meet him?"

"Oh I met him when he came to Sugarcube corner looking for some doughnuts."

"Doughnuts……. Why am I not surprised?" she said shaking her head. "What do you think of him?"

"Oh! I think he's really…."

"Hello Dark Light." Said a low aggravated voice.

Pinkie Pie and Dark Light stopped dead in their tracks and saw Blueben standing in front of them. He didn't look happy at all.

"Hey Blueben!" Pinkie Pie exclaimed waving her hoof.

"Hello Pinkie……" Blueben responded annoyed without taking his eyes off of Dark Light.

"Hey Blue. How are ya adjusting there slick?" Dark Light said with a smirk on her face.

"You and me, talk. My house, now." Blueben said simply, his voice brimming with anger.

"Ok ok. Take some chill pills will ya." Dark Light said whipping her mane out of her face. "Pinkie right? Before I go, can I give you some advice quick?"

"Sure, what is it?" Pinkie asked curiousity taking over.

Dark Light leaned to Pinkie Pie's ear and whispered something to her as silently as she could. When she finished she leaned away as Pinkie looked at her dumbfounded. "Don't worry too much, take my advice and you two will get along just fine."

"Let's go Dark Light!" Blueben exclaimed with his back turned towards them.

"Keep your shirt on slave driver I'll be behind you in a sec." Dark Light said to him with snark in her voice. "Catch ya later Pinkie. It was nice meetin' ya."

As the two leave Pinkie Pie starts waving again. "It was nice meeting you to! See ya later Blueben!"

Chapter 10

View Online

Twilight put down the pen with unicorn magic and quickly turned to Spike. Spike without missing a beat took the rolled note in his hands and burned it up with his green flames. “Thanks Spike.” Twilight uttered softly before she started pacing around the room.

“Hey Twilight….” Spike started after burning up the letter. “……. Why did ya come home and start writing in such a rush?”

“Something weird is going on Spike.” Twilight replied. “I’ve heard stories from a lot of places about a griffon going on a rampage, Trixie terrorizing a town, an Apploosan earth pony flying, and a couple of musicians suddenly disappearing after a show…….” She sat down on the floor and took a deep breath. “…All of them glowing a different color and wearing a ring around one of their hooves.”

Spike raised an eyebrow and scratches his chin. “Yeah…. That is pretty weird.” As soon as he was done speaking he felt a familiar rumbling in his stomach. Within a few seconds he burped out a tuft of green flame that revealed rolled up not with a wax seal on it.

Twilight instantly swiped the note and took it to her desk. “That was fast.” She said as she unwrapped the note and started reading. After quickly reading through the note she rolls it back up and turns once again to Spike. “You think you can stand being alone for a little while tonight?”

Spike looked at her with a puzzled look and replied, “Yeah I should be fine…. What’s going on?”

“I’m heading into the Everfree Forest tonight with my friends….. The Princess wants us to meet somepony.”

------- Much Later-------

“Oh! I remember this place!” Pinkie Pie Squealed as they cross the bridge to the ruins of the old castle.

“Yeah….. sure brings back some memories huh?” Applejack replied as she looked at her surroundings filled with nostalgia.

“Memories are good but the place is so filthy…. Why are we here again Twilight?” Rarity asked.

“In Princess Celestia’s letter she said that there was something here that would be able to tell us more about these rings.” Twilight responded looking at the letter once again.

“Did she mean somepony or something? It all sounded pretty vague when you told us about it earlier.” Applejack asked she walked with her friends.

Twilight looked at the letter once again and pondered. “She described it rather strangely. She didn’t say somepony…… rather she said someone.”

“Does that mean we are dealing with a griffon or someone from a different country?” Fluttershy asked now also curious.

“Either way I think we are going to find out.” Twilight rolled the note back up and placed it back in her saddlebag as the party began to walk or fly across the bridge. Familiar memories rushed through their heads as they entered the crumbling castle ruins. Memories of what brought them together.

“Hey!” Rainbow Dash burst suddenly stopping the group. “Do you hear that?” The ponies listened carefully. Faintly they could hear what sounded like scraping and clanging.

“OOooooooo!” Pinkie went as she listened to the unfamiliar sounds. “I hear that. It sounds like those sounds you hear when you’re cutting something on a plate…. Like when you’re eating.”

“Eating?!” Rarity said flabbergasted. “Who in their right mind would eat in a place like this?”

“I don’t know……”Twilight responded listening carefully. “But it sounds like it’s coming from upstairs….. we should check it out.” Not far from where they were was the stair case they had climbed the year before. As they went up the stairs the sounds they were hearing steadily grew louder. They all fell silent as they continued up and up. Before long they noticed something else. There was a faint light coming from the open door at the top of the steps.

“That’s odd.” Twilight thought aloud as she started to instinctively sneak and creep towards the open door and motioned for her friends to follow suit. She slowly peaked her face through the open crevice just enough to see inside. Deep in the room, on the stone table where the elements of harmony once sat, now sat a sight she didn’t expect to see. There was a couple of lit torches mounted on the very back wall that shone brightly in the room. At the stone table in front of them sat a hunched figure covered in black clothes. It shoulders were broad and a hood covered his head. The majority of his face was shrouded in shadow because of his hood and the torches behind him. In his hands was a fork and a knife. On the plate in front of him sat… something. Twilight couldn’t tell what it was. The figure gently stabbed his fork into the mass and started cutting with the knife. Before long Twilight began to here loud and clear the scraping sounds the group had been hearing before. After the knife went all the way through the thing took that piece with the fork and put it in his mouth. He began chewing up and smiled a bit.

“Whatever he’s eating must be tasty…..” Pinkie Pie whispered as she licked her lips. The rest of the ponies took positions watching what was going on in the room as well.

The figure continued to chew with the silverware still in his hands. His shadow covered face started to peer around the room. The Ponies without thinking ducked behind the wall trying to get out of sight. The figure continued to look around but then his eyes stopped at the slightly open door. His smile was now gone as he continued chewing his food. Fluttershy tried to slowly inch her head back in but swiftly pulled back when she saw that the figure was looking right at the door. The creature then swallowed its food and turned his gaze to his side. The ponies peeked in again and saw that now he was reaching inside a large sack that was sitting next to the table on the floor. They watched closely and silently as he pulled out a few metal objects that shone brightly in the torch light. One of the objects was looked like a rectangular container filled with even smaller but a bit rounder objects versus the other one was all metal but strangely shaped. In it was what looked like a trigger. The figure’s hand griped the handle tightly, readied his finger on the trigger and slid the rectangular object into the handle of the other one followed by an audible click. He pulled back what looked like a sliding component that rested over the figure’s gripped hand with another clicking sound as he did it. He raised the object in his hand and pointed it at the door.

“What is he doing?” Rainbow Dash whispered.

Her question was quickly answered as a loud bang echoed through the room. All the ponies ducked their heads on instinct and instantly heard a ricochet noise on the door.

The figure held it weapon at the ready with both hands and walked back behind his table.
“Whoever or whatever you are show yourself!” The figure shouted towards the door.
The ponies continued to huddle behind the wall next to the opened door their backs turned on it and their breaths quickened.

“I know you’re there!” The figure shouted again. “Show yourselves now with limbs in the air!”

“Twilight…. I think we better just do as he says….” Applejack whispered over to Twilight. “Pretty sure he knows we’re here.”

“OK!” Twilight shouted back towards the figure from behind the wall. “We’ll come out!” Twilight opened the door all the way and started walking in followed by Rarity, Applejack, and Pinkie Pie. Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash flew in above them with their forelegs raised over their heads.

The figure looked on with his weapon still held at the ready. For a good few minutes he stood there motionless as the ponies slowly walked towards him. “Who are you?” He asked once again shouting.

“I’m Twilight Sparkle…..” Twilight said nervously knowing that the figure’s weapon was still pointed at them. “And these ponies with me are Applejack, Rarity, Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy and Rainbow…” Twilight started to look closely at the figure she was speaking to. “……….. Dash.” Twilight looked up and down at the thing with her eyes. Black cloth sleeves, black jean jacket, black pants, black shoes, black hood……. Then her eyes widened with the sudden realization. The thing they were speaking was the one that Ponyville had been telling stories about since the week before. He was the thing that crashed in on their ceremony. Rainbow Dash was the next to realize what she was speaking to but she expressed her realization less gracefully than Twilight.

“Wait a minute!” Rainbow Dash shouted pointing her hoof at the figure. “You’re that piece of crap from last week who tried to kill me!”

“Make any sudden moves you little shit and I will.” The figure loud talked back at her. The eyes of the other ponies widened as well as they quickly realized who it was.

“I’m not scared of you!” as soon as Rainbow Dash finished her sentence another loud and deafening bang echoed through the room. She closed her eyes as she heard something whiz past her ear and ricochet on the door again.

“You kiiiiinda should be.” The figure remarked as he steadied his gun again. “Another smart ass remark out of you and the next one will hit between your eyes.”

“Look! Please just out that thing down!” Twilight implored him. “We are here only to talk. Princess Celestia sent us here!”

“Oh really?” The figure responded as he slowly lowered his weapon. His expression did not change and his lips conveyed a rather annoyed sneer or growl as he sat back down behind his table. “Make whatever you want quick….” He said picking up his silverware again. “I’m not going to let my food get cold because of you.”

As the figure started to eat again Twilight cleared her throat and began to speak again. “There have been some strange happenings……… involving these weird rings…..” as she spoke she once again tried to look at his face. It was still covered in shadow except for his mouth which was still chewing his food. “…… and ponies flying when they shouldn’t……. a griffon spitting blood…….. and these weird lights…… Princess Celestia told me that you would know what they are.”

The figure reached for a container that was sitting to the left of him. He lifted up a nozzle from the lid and started to drink from it greedily. His gulps were the only audible thing from the room before he set the container down and looked back at Twilight. “Yeah….. and?”

“I…..” Twilight began to gather her courage to speak again. “…… Was hoping you could tell us what they were.”

“That’s none of your business.” The figure responded nonchalantly as he placed another piece of food in his mouth and began chewing again.

“Then…… can you tell me what they do?” Twilight asked hoping for an actual answer.

“That is no concern of yours.” He said, despite the food in his mouth, throwing those hopes out the window.

“Can you AT LEAST tell us why they are here?!” Twilight was beginning to get angry. Her eyebrows began to crunch together and her eyes were beginning to narrow.

“That……….” The figure swallows his food. “……… is also none of your business.” He then resumed to cut another piece of whatever he is eating from his plate.

“Darling…..” Rarity intervened walking towards the figure from the side of the table. “Please be more reasonable…… we had no idea you were having a meal here…… our princess told us you know something…. Why won’t you just tell us what’s going on?” Rarity figured that eventhough he wasn’t a pony, throwing in some feminine wiles might help a bit. Pony or not it’s obvious that the thing is a male what from his deep voice and broad shoulders. He might be to type to respect a lady’s words.

“Like I said…….” The thing responded as he looked towards Rarity. “It is none of your damn business.” The thing’s mouth forms a slight growl whilst bearing some of his teeth.
Rarity backs away promptly to where she sat before. Seems a mare’s touch isn’t going to do them any good here.

“OH!” Pinkie Pie leaned over the table towards the figure waving her hoof in the air. “Hey hey! Black Ghostie! Can I ask a question?”

The figure looked towards the pink pony and his mouth formed a sneer again. He placed his tongue between his teeth as he shook his head back and forth. Then with an annoyed sigh he answers with an annoyed tone. “What is it?”

“What is that you’re eating?” Pinkie asks as she points to the slab of…… something…… on his plate. “Whatever it is looks really juicy…….” Pinkie with a wave a hoof takes a deeeeeep sniff with her nostrils and sighs contently. “Mmmmmmmmm! It smells really good to.” She begins to reach towards the figure’s plate from across the table to the horror of the others. “Can I?......”

The figure aims with the dull side of his table knife and smacks her hoof with a loud TING going through the air.

Immediately the pink pony pulls back her hoof and shakes it due to the bit of pain from the blow.

The figure then points the sharper side of the knife at her and starts speaking after a long audible growl. “Do. Not. Touch. My. Food.” He reaches back towards his plate and starts cutting his food again.

As Pinkie Pie began sucking on her sore hoof she looked over at Fluttershy. Her eyes were locked on the plate and she looked like she was thinking about something. Then all of a sudden her face took a bit of a green tinge. She covered her hoof with her mouth and started to gag violently but quietly. Pinkie Pie starts to poke Twilight in the shoulder. Twilight turns towards Pinkie who immediately points at Fluttershy who looks off to the side looking like she’s about to heave.

“Hey…. Fluttershy?” Twilight says to her rubbing her friend on the back. “Are you ok?”

The Boy then also looks over at Fluttershy and takes note in his mind how sick she looks. A smile starts to spread on his face as ideas start to form in his head. “Ah.” The Boy sighs with a chuckle as he starts twirling his fork between his fingers. “Looks like your friend had no issues figuring out what’s one my plate.” He cuts off and stabs his fork into another piece and points it towards Fluttershy. “Hey there little mare.”

Fluttershy, who managed to compose herself a bit, looks up at him and notices the fork pointed at her.

“Would you like to try a piece of what I’m eating? The pink one is right. It is just scrumptious. You can still taste all the juices from the animal. I think there is even still a bit of blood in there…..” The Boy starts laughing as Fluttershy looks at the fork with horror and very quickly starts looking sick again.

“In case you haven’t noticed it’s made from cows my dear.” He continues with a chuckle as he pulls back the fork and places the piece in his mouth. The other ponies start looking a bit sick themselves as they try to comfort Fluttershy.

“The flesh of various animals all compose a part of my kind’s diet. Cow meat is particularly juicy. Oooooooh man pork is really good to. So is lamb….. and chicken……” He starts licking his lips. “Mmmmmmmmm it’s so good.” His smile disappears as he tilts his head trying to think. “Some parts of my world even serve cats, dogs, and insects……..never tried those myself……” His mouth made an ‘oh!’ expression and he licked his lips again before they spread into a very nasty looking grin. “You know what?........ Now I wonder what the….. ponies of this world taste like…..”

The group of friends gulp almost in unison. Their eyes widen considerably. Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash, Rarity, and Pinkie Pie all start to slowly back towards the door. Twilight and Applejack are the only ones staying in their places at the table.

He puts the fork on his plate and leans back a bit with his fingers rubbing his chin. He raises his head a bit and sees the terrified and wide eyed ponies in front of him. He chuckles and grins again. “Hey! Why don’t you mares and I make a deal?” The Boy started jokingly. “Stay out of my business and I’ll do my best not to make any of you part of the menu. Otherwise……” He pulls a much sharper and larger knife from the inside of his jacket and points it straight up in the air. “…. I’ll have to perform some…… experiments….. before I make one of you dinner.” He flips the knife in his hand and catches it by the blade. He then raises his arm and poised it for a throw.

Twilight and Applejack realize what’s happening and join the others as they start to all run as quick as they can out of the room. Fluttershy is the last to get out of the room as she hears a loud THUNK hit the door barely missing the end of her tail. She turns back and sees The Boy quickly walk up to the door and pull the knife out of it. He looks directly into her eyes with a wide grin still on his face. She floats there frozen in terror trying to find his eyes even though they are covered in pitch black shadow. The Boy starts to chuckle, much louder this time as he starts to walk towards her.

“Fluttershy!” Rainbow Dash yells as she swoops in front of her stunned friend shaking her shoulders. “Snap out of it! We need to leave! NOW!” They both look back towards The Boy as he pulls the weapon he fired before from out of his jacket with his left hand. “Come on! Let’s go!” Rainbow Dash grabs Fluttershy by the hoof and speeds away as she hears another loud bang followed by a ricochet on the wall behind her. As the two pegasi catch up to the others before they all start to hear a horrible peal of laughter echo through the castle. A loud, low, sadistic laugh reverberated into every wall they ran past making it seem louder and louder. They make a hasty exit through the door of the castle and start on the bridge. Twilight looks back behind her and sees the figure walk through the opening of the door with the knife and gun in his hands. He raises his left hand and points his weapon towards them. Twilight gasps and turns back around speeding herself up as much as her hooves possibly can. All of them begin to hear loud bangs emanating from the castle and winces as they feel the tiny metal projectiles whizz and zip past them barely missing their legs, heads, and flanks. Once they make it into the forest proper the loud bangs cease as their echoes can be heard throughout the forest. Many birds start to buzz and crazily zip through the air between and over the trees because of the sounds, not making the ponies’ escape any easier.

As he watches the ponies scurry and flee into the forest he lowers his smoking gun to the ground. He places both the knife and his gun in their proper places under his jacket and leans against the arch of the door with a smug grin on his face. “Now THAT……. was fun.” He starts laughing again grabbing his stomach and leaning towards the ground. He gives his bent knee a hard slap and rests his hand on it before he begins to quiet himself. He raises his finger to wipe a nonexistent tear from his eye before making deep satisfied sigh. He started to rub his chin again as he began to think himself out loud. “So the locals already noticed them huh? Hmmmmmm. This is progressing a bit faster than expected.” He picks himself up from his leaning and begins to walk back into the abandoned castle. “And they didn’t even send in the cavalry……. They recruited locals instead. Most not be able to fully cross over yet…….. “ The Boy then licks his lips and cracks his knuckles. “I better go get my equipment ready….. Looks like I’ll be going hunting tomorrow.” He places his hand on the wall taking his first step and releases a loud yawn as he starts walking back up.

********

Elseware that night……

“Hey Octy.” Vinyl said out loud as she looked at the clearing the two of them were standing. “This is the place that voice from the ring told us to come to right?”

“Yeah. It looks like it.” Octavia responded as she walked up behind Vinyl Scratch.

“Didn’t he say that there would be others meeting us here?”

“He did. But who are we…..”

Before Octavia could finish her sentence they both saw a bright red stream zooming towards them. Octavia and Vinyl Scratch instinctively jumped out of the way as the red flaming ball of light struck where they were previously standing creating a huge tuft of smoke and dust in the process. They both crept slowly towards the small crater and heard some of rabid growling and incoherent rambling. The dust slowly began to clear and it revealed a griffon. Clad in a furtight red and black suit which covered all but her head, tail, and hands.

“Woah….” Vinyl muttered to herself. “What’s a griffon doing here?”

“Look Vinyl.” Octavia started to point towards the griffon’s claw. “She has a red ring. A lot like the ones we have.”

“Well….” Vinyl scratch scratched her head with her hoof. “This looks like it’ll be some party….”

The raging griffon suddenly stopped clawing at the ground and glared right at the two other ponies. Vinyl and Octavia both readied themselves and crouched low to the ground. The griffon gave a loud roar spewing her acidic blood all over before suddenly falling flat in her beak. Vinyl and Octavia both stood up and looked on confused….. before they noticed a bright yellow rope wound tightly around her back legs.

“Crazy fricken varmint……” a gruff voice bellowed as he stepped out of the shadows of the woods. His white and gray mane shone in the moonlight under his hat casting a soft shadow over his rugged features. “I’m assumin’ you three are some of the ones I’m supposed ta be meetin’ here?”
The griffon turned back and roared at him spewing more of the acidic substance all over the ground. Shortly thereafter though her beak was also wound shut by the bright yellow rope as she crazily pulled on it trying to get it off.

“I… think so.” Vinyl responded as she walked up to the large black stallion. “I’m Vinyl Scratch and this is Octavia.”

Octavia reached out a hoof towards him. “A pleasure to make your acquatence sir.”

“Likewise…..” The stallion gruffed as he reached out as well and shook Octavia’s hoof. “Black Lasso’s the name…… and I’m the best Celestia damned bounty hunter you’ll ever meet.”

“Nice duds there big guy!” Vinyl Scratch said as she eyed the black and yellow duster that the stallion was wearing. “You get that from your ring to?”

“I did.” Black Lasso replied as he looked at the yellow ring that was around his hoof. “Must admit lil’ lady…. Whoever these Yeller ponies are they had nice taste in uniforms……”

“I think there was a mistake with mine…..” a soft voice whined

The three ponies looked in the direction of the voice and saw a Pegasus flapping her wings…… Yellow mane, grey fur which was showing through the back of her pink bodysuit all the way down to just above her tail and plot. She, like the others, had a ring around one of her forehooves, but hers was either pink or violet. The others couldn’t tell.

“It feels weird to wear….. I’ll have to talk to them about changing the uniform later…..” Her askewed yellow eyes looked downward as she fumbled her hooves and blushed in embarrassment. “I’m Derpy by the way……”

“Hey Derpy it’s no trouble.” Vinyl Scratch said she lightly punched Derpy in the shoulder. “Glad to have ya here.”

“I’m not late am I?” Another small voice chimed in.

All the ponies looked and saw a small buffalo walk into the clearing with an odd staff looking thing on her back and an indigo ring around her forehoof.

Black Lasso’s face contorted into annoyance and his flared nostrils at the sight of her. Everypony else, except for Gilda who was still struggling to free herself, trotted or flew over to the little buffalo.

“Woah! There’s a buffalo here!?” Vinyl Scratch gasped as she awed at their latest visitor. “That’s soooo cool! And your staff looks cool to.”

“Thanks…..” the small buffalo replied shyly. “I’m called Little Strongheart….. I was instructed to come and meet some ponies here.”

“Well you’re at the right place.” Octavia said calmly. “We were all given the same instructions to meet here to.”

Black Lasso glared at the buffalo as the others began talking to here. All of a sudden he heard a crack coming from the woods in the opposite direction. Black Lasso looked there and saw nothing. He walked over towards the edge of the clearing and moved his ear to the ground. He could hear the faint sound of hoofbeats echoing in the ground. He lifted his head and saw and orange glow start to reveal itself through the trees and leavings. As seconds passed the glow started to get brighter and brighter as the one bearing it got closer and closer.
“That’s just great……..” Black Lasso muttered as he quickly conjured another bright yellow lasso and started holding it at the ready. “……. Another crazy one……”

“MIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIINE!!!!!” A light blue mare screamed as she jumped out from the bushes at Black Lasso. He side steps it as the mad mare lands and rolls on the ground before quickly getting back up.

“That pretty yellow ring…..” Her crazed orange eyes shined brightly beneath her star covered hat. “I must have it…..” She jumps again at Black Lasso. “IT’S MINE!”

Black Lasso throws his rope and it wraps promptly against her midsection. With a hard pull he pulls her to the ground and starts tying her hooves together. The crazed pony struggled and struggled violently on the ground which made his task all the more troublesome.

“Stop movin’ around you salt snortin’ bitch.” Black Lasso Gruffed angrily as he continued tying his ropes around her hooves.

As he continued the others all walked over to the pair and watched as they struggled.
“Dang…..” Vinyl shook her head. “She’s as cookey as that griffon over there….. what’s her deal?”

“Her deal is greed.” Little Strongheart replied with her eyes closed and an orange insignia floating in front of her head. She opened her eyes and looked towards the still writhing griffon and the mark floating in front of her head changed and warped to a red one. “Her’s is rage……. Apparently their rings are very difficult to control if not impossible…”

“How do you know that?” Derpy asked looking towards Little Strongheart.

“I’m not sure exactly….” She replied. “My ring…… let’s my see and sense what all of you are feeling. I think I can tap into the powers of all of your rings as well as my own.”

“Yeah….. I’m just glad I’m not like those crazies….” Vinyl mumbled to herself.

“Good. All the Corps representatives are present and accounted for.”

Everyone in the group all looked around and tried to find where the new voice had come from. Then the voice started speaking again.

“I know this all be new to you. None of our corps had ever given rings to your species before. I must apologize for not being able to brief you on the situation face to face….”

“Hey that’s alright.” Vinyl Scratch started in response. “Could we see what ya look like though? Kinda odd to be talking to some random voice from out of nowhere……”

“Of course recruit. Give me a few moments….” Then a green light started to project itself from Vinyl’s ring and started to form something in the middle of the group. The various ponies gathered around the construct as it took shape with Black Lasso dragging both the orange glowing pony and the red glaring griffon closer to the group.

Before long the light began to take shape. As the light revolved and congealed it revealed the figure of a short man with a head that was large and seemingly out of proportion with the rest of his body. He wore a flowing cloak with the seal of the Green Lanterns embedded into his chest.

“Hello.” The voice started now coming from the green contruct. “I am called Ganthet. Guardian of The Green Lantern Corps. I am speaking to you from our headquarters on the planet Oa.”

“Woah……” Vinyl’s jaw dropped at what she was seeing but she quickly shook her head trying to compose herself. “You must be my boss then I’m guessing”

“Indeed. Currently I am your supervising officer for this operation.” Ganthet responded before he turned to the rest of the lantern recruits gathered around him. “Ideally I would have liked to include the senior members of the other corps here as well but I am afraid they are all busy working on how to cross over into your world…..”

“Hold on…..” Black Lasso started raising his forehoof. “We all were chosen by these various corps for membership? Why? What are we all here for?”

“That is why I wanted to gather you all here.” Ganthet began. “There is a task that must be done. It is of the gravest importance. Not only for each of your corps but for your world and ours.”

“Ok, so what do you need us to do boss?” Vinyl asked.

“There was something very important that was stolen from each of the Corps.” Ganthet resumed explain. “Vinyl Scratch, Octavia, Black Lasso, Little Strongheart, Derpy Hooves, Gilda, and Trixie Lulamoon……… your task is to search for what was stolen from the Corps and track down the one responsible.”

“Sounds simple enough.” Octavia shrugged. “What was it that was stolen?”

“Sources of unimaginable power and energy. He stole the very sources of The Corps’ power as well as other dangerous energy sources. One of which is the source of life in our entire universe.”

“That doesn’t sound good……..” Derpy said with her hooves over her mouth. “Do you know who did it?”

“We do.” Ganthet turned towards Derpy in response. “He is someone who our Corps have been trying to track down for some time now. We know he is in this world and we need you to find the exact location of where he is hiding. We only need you to find him and see where he took what was stolen. He is heavily armed and extremely dangerous…. Should you encounter him whatever you do…… Do not engage him.”

Chapter 11

View Online

“Awwwwwww it seems you didn’t keep your end of our deal………..” The blade of the knife shines brightly under the light of the moon above her.

She holds her ground. Not wanting to give him the satisfaction of seeing weakness.

“Looks like I’ll have to start practicing my butchery skills…..” He twirls the knife with his fingers as he walks closer to the mare. “Let’s see……. Shall I start by skinning…… you?” The tall hooded figure looks at the mare and raises his knife in the air.

“Not a chance you pony eatin’ freak!” She lunges straight at the figure’s stomach.

She is grabbed out of the air by a strong hand. The figure lifts her high into the air by her neck. His grip is tight like a bear trap and is only getting tighter. “Ah ah ah…” The figure scolds mockingly. “I can’t be having my food putting up a fight now can I?”

The mare looks down at him. Her hat has fallen to the ground and it is quickly stomped on by her captor’s boot. She looks back at the figure, his face still wrapped in shadow, as he lifts his knife and points it straight towards her face.

“Now…… I think I’ll start…..” He thrusts the knife straight towards her face with a laugh and begins to shout, “BY PLUCKING OUT YOUR EYES!!!”

Applejack sits straight up in her bed with a gasp. She feels all around her face with her forehooves and didn’t feel a scratch. Her breathing slows down and steadies as she looks down on her hooves. “What they hay is goin’ on?...” she looks around and sees her hat hanging on the wall on the spot it’s always hung at. “Oh thank Celestia….” She said to herself out loud as she kicked off the blankets and got out of the bed. “I was just dreamin’…….” She pondered and pondered about her dream as she lifted her hat off its hook and places it on her head. “I’m not scared of that freak o’ nature.” She slowly starts to trot down the hall as she hears her brother and little sister begin to stir in their rooms as well. “I know Dash and I could a’ taken ‘im if it wasn’t for that loud metal thing he was shootin’ at us……” Applejack casually walks down the stairs and straight into the kitchen. “Even if I had to take him on myself………. Why did last night freak me out so much? I’m not normally that scared of anythin’…… What was that thing?”

“Good mornin’ there Applejack!” an old green mare shouted as she waved her wrinkly leg in the air.

Applejack gives a long and tired yawn before she joins her grandmother at the counter. “Mornin’ Granny Smith……”

“Something wrong there Applejack?” she asks as she chops some vegetables. “You’re don’t usually look this tired when you wake up in the mornin’.”

“Eh. I didn’t sleep too good last night……” Applejack replied. “Had some weird dream….”

“A dream? Dream about what?” Granny asked as she then dumped the chopped carrots, celery, and various other vegetables into a frying pan with a few eggs ready to cook inside.

“I’ll tell y’all more about it later…..” Applejack turned on the sink and started washing her hooves. The water poured all over her hooves as she spread some soap on them and her forelegs. “Right now I just wanna get to work….. clear my head…..”

“Well whatever’s goin’ on in that thick head o’ yers you better get somethin’ to eat first.” Granny Smith takes a whisk and starts beating the eggs to mix in the chopped vegetables together. “None of us needs ya fallin’ asleep in the middle of the field.”

“I will take ya up on breakfast. I wasn’t skippin’ that.” Applejack started to rinse the water off of her legs and forehooves before splashing a bit of water on her face. She then picked up a towel and started wiping herself off thoroughly. “We’re ahead o’ schedule on harvestin’ this year…… I might call it a day early and take a nap.”

“That sounds like a good idea dearie.” Granny Smith gave Applejack a small kiss on the cheek. “Some more rest might help you out a bit. You have been workin’ pretty hard lately. I think you earned some extra time to rest.” Granny then gave AJ a firm pat on the back. “Just concentrate on feelin better ok?”

“I will Granny. Thanks” Applejack gave a smile back before reciprocating her granny’s kiss to the cheek. Before walking over to the family table to sit herself down.

A large red stallion then walked into the room and sat himself at the table beside Applejack. He gives a small yawn before taking a drink from the glass of water in front of his plate.

“Morning Big Macintosh….” Applejack yawned again before she poured herself a glass of water from the pitcher in the middle of the table.

“Mornin’.” Big Mac replied as he sat the glass back down.

Down the stairs came some more hoofbeats. They belonged to a much smaller pony. A little yellow filly with a red mane and tale and a big bow on her head. She too gave a soft yawn before sitting herself at the table smacking her lips.

“Goodmorning Applebloom.” Applejack greeted before passing her the pitcher of water to her.

“Mornin’ AJ……” she replied tiredly as she poured herself some water and taking a quick sip. “Say AJ….. I’ve been meanin to ask ya somethin’…”

“What’s on your mind Sugarcube?” Applejack inquired as Granny Smith started to place a big piece of omelet on each of their plates.

“Ummm….. Um” Applebloom hesitated as Applejack and Big Mac picked up their silverware to start cutting into the food that their grandmother graciously served them. Granny Smith sat down at the table next to Applebloom before she finally came up with what she wanted to say. “Where did you and your friends go last night? Y’all looked pretty spooked when you were walkin’ back……. Like you had seen a ghost or somethin’.”

Applejack was just about to put the first piece of food into her mouth before she dropped her fork. It hit the plate with a clickity clang before settling itself. AJ’s mouth was frozen open as her mind immediately went back to the events of the night before. She could hear the creature’s laugh echoing in her head as well as the loud bangs from his weapon. She could almost feel the hairs of her fur start to curl from the bullets that missed her by mere millimeters. The hoof in front of her mouth started to shake before she grabbed it with the other hoof and gently set it on the table.

“AJ… Hey AJ!”

Applejack shook out of her trance. She looked to see her brother’s hoof on her shoulder and her family all looking at her concerned.

“You ok sis?” Big Mac asked gently rubbing his sister’s shoulder. “What’s goin on?”

Applejack shut her eyes tight and put her face in her hooves. “I guess last night spooked me more than I thought it did…..” She took a deep breath before holding her brother’s hoof with her own. “Twilight asked me and the others to go to that old castle in the forest last night…..”
“At that hour? What for?” Granny Smith asked before she got up and sat herself next to Applejack.
“The Princess asked her in a letter to take us there to meet someone. The meeting didn’t exactly go very well……”

“Some…… one?” Applebloom tilted her head…… “Don’t ya mean sompony?”

“Something is more like it…..” Applejack took another drink from her glass of water. “I have no idea what that thing was…. It stood on two legs….. had hands and fingers like what Spike’s got. It was tall…. At least twice as tall as me….. covered from top to bottom in black….”

“You’re not talkin’ that big thing that crashed in on the Princesses at the town hall some time ago are ya?” Big Mac asked her.

“Yep. That’d be the one…….” Applejack responded with a nod.

“Why would The Princess want you to meet that thing?” Applebloom asked her.

“I don’t know. Twilight said he might know somethin’ about the strange goings on lately. Maybe we were supposed to catch ‘im or somethin’ to but we never got the chance…… if it….”

“We can talk more about what happened later Applejack.” Granny Smith interrupted. “Why don’t you go lay down to calm yourself? I can take Applebloom to school today and….”

“Mornin’ Apples!”

The entire family looked up from the table and saw Braeburn coming down the stairs.
He stopped and noticed how Granny Smith and Big Mac had their hooves on Applejack’s shoulders. He slowly walked to the end of the table and looked at the family. “What’s up guys…… did somethin’ happen?”

“Applejack’s not feeling too good this mornin’” Granny Smith replied as she patted and rubbed Applejack’s back. “Could you be a dear and help your cousin Big Mac in the orchard today?”

“Course I can.” Braeburn replied with his hoof on his chest. “Y’all were willing to let me stay here on such short notice. I’d feel mighty guilty if I didn’t help out around the farm.”

“But Granny Smith I can….” AJ began but a wrinkled hoof abruptly covered her mouth.

“No buts outta you young filly!” Granny Smith looked at her sternly. “Now I don’t know what that thing did to spook you so much but I don’t want ya out in the orchard if you’re head ain’t on straight. You’ll hardly get anythin’ done worryin about it.” Granny Smith made a gesture with her head to Applebloom.

The young filly nodded and quickly gobbled up her omelet, wiped off her face with a napkin and quickly trotted off to gather her things for school.

“You just concentrate on relaxin’ and calmin’ yourself down. Maybe you should go to the spa in town to get rid a’ some of that tension. But first, you can walk with me to take Applebloom to school and you can tell us the rest of what happened on the way.” Granny Smith looked Applejack in the eyes. “Can you handle that dearie?”

“Yeah…. I can manage that.” Applejack sighed deeply as she looked back at Granny Smith.

“Don’t you worry about the harvestin’ neither. Braeburn and Big Mac will have that covered. You can start workin’ again when your head’s clear. Got it?”

“Got it.” Applejack nodded before she ate the rest of her meal and went to where Applebloom’s room. “I’ll go help Applebloom get ready for school.”

*******

The sounds of the forest made their usual rounds that morning. Birds chirping and singing, rabbits and ferrets scurrying about, and many other animals going about their daily business. Except there was one other creature stirring between the trees, one that the forest has never played host to before.

A lone creature covered head to toe in black was carefully stepping between the branches and weeds just about 10 feet away from the hoof track covered path. He always kept it within his sights so as not to lose his way in this bastion of nature. The hood still covered his head and he let the shade of the trees and bushes hide his face from the sun. It was always at its most blinding to the eyes of one who not long ago woke from their slumber. He was no exception. The large sack he was carrying felt heavy on his back. The long strap going across his chest helped immensely to keep the bag and its volatile contents close to him whilst keeping the burden to a bare minimum. Before long he could see the edge of the forest, and beyond that the town of Ponyville.

“This seems to be as good a spot as any.” The thing then loosened the strap and pulled the bag from off of his back. He set it gently against a large tree and opened one of the side zippers on it. He reached in and fingered around inside until he pulled out a pair of binoculars. He sets his sights towards Ponyville and lifted the binoculars to his face. Carefully and slowly he scanned the town and its outskirts looking and noting every detail he could to memory. “No sign of them yet……” he muttered to himself. He turned his gaze towards the farm nestled outside of the town. He watches as two mares and a small filly walk out of the front door of their house and begin to trot along the road towards the town. One of the ponies he recognized as soon as he saw her. “Ah….. good little pony…..” he smiles as he watched her walk down the path. “That’s right….. go about your life in ignorant bliss….. gives me one less annoyance to worry about.” Then as he watched them, an odd thought started to cross his mind. He turned a small dial on his binoculars and started to more closely study the mare and her details. Heaven only knows what he’s looking for now but it would be a safe bet that he’s probably looking for something he really shouldn’t. Either that or he’s looking at good places to take his knife to should he decide he’s in the mood for pony meat for dinner. Can’t hurt to have a recipe prepared just in case right?

“Looks like I’ll be playing the waiting game.” He takes his sights off Applejack and starts peering around the town again. “Might as well find some way to entertain myself while I wait…….” He sat down on the ground and resumed watching the town in complete silence.

******

A few hours later……….

The Boy sits and has been sitting for a long while. Patiently waiting, silently observing the town and all its machinations. He watched the ponies walking around the town hall, the little fillies and colts playing in their school playground, and he even spyed the two stallions bucking apple trees and gathering their crops. The only noise he made was a periodic audible yawn that only he and the forest could hear. He was starting to get really really bored. Just then he saw seven colored lights flying through the sky and saw that they were flying towards the main buildings of the apple farm. A smile finally spread across The Boy’s face. Looks like today was going to be eventful afteral.

“Gooooooood. That’s just what I was looking for.” As they descended from high in the sky he saw the group land on the farm ground and talk with the ponies by the barn. He opened up his bag and pulled out a smaller black bag and unzipped that. Inside was a rectangular red container with a black lid, a hollowed out red handle, and a very familiar smell. He put his binoculars back in their place and hoisted the bag back onto his back. He picks up the red container as its liquid contents tumbled around inside. “It’s gonna be show time real soon…..” He looks toward the apple orchard and lifts up his red container. “I better go get ready……” He puts the container down and pulls something else out of a side pocket of his bag. He pulls down the hood of his jacket and quickly replaces with a grinning golden mask. He wrapped the strap around his head and let the black cloth cover his head and neck making sure to not let a single patch of skin show through. He adjusted his mask to look out the holes for the eyes before also adjusting the large bag on his back. He once again picks up the red container and starts quickly making his way toward the apple orchard trying to keep himself as close to the ground as possible.

********

Meanwhile…….

“How’s the harvestin’ goin’ Braeburn?” Granny Smith asked as she walked towards the barn.

Braeburn hoists down the last bucket of apples behind the door of the barn and wipes the sweat off of his brow. “It’s goin’ good Granny Smith! Feels good to be out and workin again. How’s Applejack doin’?”

“Oh she’s sleepin like a log, and judgin’ by her snoring I think she’s sawin’ a couple too” Granny Smith gives a hardy chuckle alongside Braeburn. “Where’s Big Macintosh at?”

“He’s out in the orchard. He told me he was going to go check something out”

******

“Somethin’ ain’t right around here.” Big Mac thought as he was walking through a distant corner of the orchard. A few minutes previous he saw a strange shape dashing through the trees. Since then there’s been this weird smell in the air that he couldn’t shake. He came up to a tree that was near the center of their orchard. Something was off and he examined it as close as he could. Parts of the bark looked wet and the tree absolutely reeked of that weird smell he noticed. The wet marks seemed to go all up and down the side of the tree. A random splash here and a line of the stuff there. He looked towards the grass under his hooves and saw that there was even a line of the stuff poured in a straight line from this tree to another one nearby. “I really don’t like the look of this……” He dipped his hoof in the wet grass and immediately felt it get wet. He lifted it back up and sniffed his hoof. He even lightly poked the wet stuff with his tongue. The taste was the same as the smell. Completely weird and totally unrecognizable to him. “What the hay is this stuff?” Suddenly there was a crack that came from the tree above him. His head pointed straight up and briefly saw a golden shimmer before it disappeared between the leaves. “HEY!” Big Macintosh yelled as he closely watched the tree top. “You’re in serious trouble fella! Get down here this bucking INSTANT! NOPONY messes with MY apple farm!”

“Ok….. if you insist….. I should warn you though…..”

Big Mac saw a large black mass suddenly jump down from the tree. Before he could move out of the way he felt a hard kick right to the jaw that sent him tumbling backward. Before he could regain his standing he felt another fast and hard blow to the stomach. Big Mac started to feel sick as he fell to the ground. His eyes barely open he saw a pair of black boots step in front of his nozzle. He looked up and saw a golden, black, and empty grin stare down at him.

“I am no pony. Got it sunshine? Sweet dreams…”

Big Mac felt another much harder hit on his head. This time the hit knocked him out cold.

******

Back at the farm………

“What was Big Mac lookin’ for?” Granny asked with a puzzled look on her face.

“I don’t rightly know…..” Braeburn shrugged. “He just suddenly tapped me on the shoulder and said to get straight back here with what I got…… and to wait for him before I came back.”

“Must be something serious……” Granny Smith tapped her chin with her wrinkled hoof.

“Should we get AJ?” Braeburn asked her.

“Nah. Let her sleep. She’s worried enough as it is. Gettin’ threats to be eatin’ will do things to somepony…..”

“Threatened to eat her!?” Braeburn said with shock.

“It’s a weird story….. explains why she was so spooked this mornin’…….”

“Uhhhhhh……. Who was spooked?”

The old mare nearly jumped out of her skin as she jolted upon hearing the unexpected voice. Her and Braeburn turned to see a unicorn descend to the ground with a light green glow around her. Soon she was followed by six other glowing lights each of a different color. As soon as the yellow one touched down and its light dissipated he recognized the scruffy mug it came from.

“Why hello there apple boy…….”

“Black Lasso……” Braeburn said with a bit of a shake in his voice. “What’re all you folks doin’ here?”

“We saw something scurrying around in your apple orchard….” The unicorn clad in green began. “We just came by to ask permission to take a look around your property.”

“We know there has been a dangerous criminal who has been wandering around this area…..” Octavia began before she noticed that Braeburn only stared at them with great confusion. “Oh I’m sorry. Let me introduce us…..”

After Octavia explained who they were and a bit more about why they were there Braeburn started to understand a bit better.

“It’s really important that we find this guy…..” Derpy helped to explain. “Would you please let us take a look around? Make sure you ponies are safe.”

“That sounds like a fair shake to me….” Granny said as she slowly shimmied over. A small frown was on her face as she pointed towards the barn. “Get those two varmints out of my barn and you can look around as much as you want.”

As they were talking Gilda and Trixie were scrounging around inside the barn. Gilda was where the cows would normally be at this time a day. Normally they would be feeding, but today they were huddled in the corner for fear of the perpetually enraged Gilda. Every time a cow so much as set a hoof in the direction of the food trough she gave them a loud, blood spitting, roar that sent them right back to the corner. Trixie on the other hand was gathering a large pile of farm tools. Hoes, rakes, plow, whatever, she wanted it. Every second she spied something and instantly wanted it. And she would take it and put it at a pile in the center of the barn.

“Our apologies ma’am……” Little Stongheart apologized sheepishly. “We’ll get those two under control before we start searching……..”

*****

“Just about ready……” The Boy muttered as he tended to the very large rifle on his lap. The large sack he was carrying before was slumped on the trunk of the tree he was on. He himself was sitting on a branch in the higher part of the tree. He pulled out a metal container from under his arm and locks it into the proper socket on the underside of his gun. He pulls back the lever for the hammer letting a bullet get locked and loaded into the chamber. He tilted his head side to side in satisfaction as he reveled in the clicks and locks he heard as he got his weapon ready. “A 50 cal bullet should do the trick. Hit them niiiiiiiiice and hard.” He lifted up the heavy rifle, wraps his finger around the trigger, firmly plants the stock against his shoulder, and poises his eye behind the scope. He sees a group of lights floating around the barn. They’re blurry at first but with a turn of a dial the lights, and the shapes they radiate from, become as clear as crystal and sharp as a knife. Two of the lanterns, red and orange, and being dragged out of the barn by yellow. Indigo is talking with the elderly mare on the ground while violet, green, and blue are facing towards the orchard beginning to search for anything strange. Luckily for him none of them are looking his direction. “Alright…….” He poises the cross hairs of his scope dead center on the floating green unicorn. He tenses his muscles, plants his feet on the solid branch he’s crouching on, and widens the smile under his mask. “Time to light ‘em up.”

*****

The sound of an enormous bang followed by the smaller explosion soon after instantly woke Applejack from her slumber. “What in tarnation was that?!” She scrambled to get up out of bed as she ran to grab her hat off its hook. As she bolted down again a second bang followed by another small explosion soon followed. This time she could tell where it came from. “Oh no The Orchard!” without knowing what was happening Applejack raced out the door bolting as fast as she can towards the source of the sounds.

Meanwhile Octavia and Vinyl were picking themselves up from the ground. They were alive and well put pretty bruised up. Vinyl on her stomach and Octavia on her hip. They both looked up and saw a few of their comrades scramble to their sides.

“Hey! Get up!” Derpy begged as she hoisted Octavia off the ground. “Are you two ok?”

Vinyl jumped up and dusted herself off. “Yeah I’m fine. But what the hay was…”

“Automatic personnel defense systems activated.” Vinyl’s ring resounded as the solid green aura around her gleamed. “Be advised…… hostile is firing 50 caliber incendiary explosive rounds. Evasive maneuvers strongly advised.”

“That’s gotta be our guy!” Vinyl yelled as she readies herself to get back in the air.

Octavia reached out with her hoof and pulled her friend down as bangs and explosions continued to ring in the air above them. “What about Ganthet ordering us NOT to engage him?”

“We kinda don’t have a choice when he’s shooting right at us. We either take him down now or he ends up destroying this whole farm!”

“I have agree with Vinyl here.” Little Strongheart readied her staff in her mouth as The Green Lantern symbol floated above her head. “Those explosive rounds will cause a lot of damage if we don’t go after him now. The least we can do is at least draw his fire away from the barn and house.”

“I’m on it!” Derpy flew right up into the air with a bright violet streak following her. The second she reaches optimal height she fires a bolt of light towards a bullet heading her direction. It explodes midair as she zooms through the resulting cloud of smoke.

Gilda had already been shot a few times with the explosive rounds herself but thanks to the constant adrenaline rush and the automatic defense grid in her own ring she barely felt a thing. She looked deep into the orchard and could see the sheen of a golden mask and a large rifle positioned on its shoulder. She watched the figure pull back the lever of his rifle and readying himself to fire another round. With a loud roar she joined the others as she flew madly towards the source of the bullets.

Trixie seemed to be trying to catch the bullets out of the air with her magic only for them to explode in her magic grip. She too saw the source of her current desires and gained a new one the instant she saw the shine of the golden mask. “Nice….. beautiful…… mask.” Trixie said to herself almost drooling madly. The figure turned and poised the rifle straight at her. It seemed like her eyes almost met with the eyes of the one wearing the mask. That only made her want it more. “It will be mine! The Great and Powerful TRIXIE MUST HAVE THAT MASK!” She instinctively dodges the bullet and let it start a small fire on the ground behind her. She didn’t care about the bullets now that she had a new target in sight.

Black Lasso, for the moment, was merely concentrating on staying in the air as he dodged or blocked the incoming ordinance with the guidance of his ring. He watched all the others fly over the orchard towards the origin of the shots. He looked and instantly saw the tree they were going for. He smiled a bit as he tipped up his hat. “I gotta say….” He flew there as well, deciding to follow the others in their pursuit. “This mark’s been the most fun I’ve had in a long time.”

“Granny Smith! Big Macintosh! Braeburn! Where are you?!” Applejack shouted as loud as she could hoping they could hear her voice over the sounds of thunderous gunshots and small scale explosions in the air and ground.

“We’re over here AJ!”

Applejack looked and was relieved to see Braeburn and Granny Smith taking cover inside the barn. She rushed over to them as quickly as she could and gave her granny a big hug relieved to see them ok. “What the hay’s goin’ on?!”

The whole group ducked their heads as they heard a stray bullet knock a large hole into the roof of their barn.

“It’s like a buckin’ warzone out here!”

“Those flyin’ ponies came by sayin’ they were lookin for somethin’” Braeburn explained. “They told me that they saw something strange lurkin’ around in the orchard and was asking Granny’s permission to look around. They were trying to get a couple of their more rowdy friends under control when the bangin started. Next thing I know two of ‘em were on the ground and the others were flying around tryin’ to stay alive.”

“Where’s Big Macintosh?” Applejack asked with concern.

“Last I saw him he was in the orchard. Said something about something not seeming right. As far as I know he was still out there when this whole mess started.” Braeburn said to her. “He’s probably still out there.”

“Oh no!” Applejack then galloped towards the barn door as a small explosion impacted the ground no less than 20 feet in front of her. She stopped and looked towards her cousin and granny. “You two stay here. I’ll go find Big Mac.” She saw the colored lights as they zoomed towards the center of the orchard and she zoomed right after then going as fast as her hooves could carry her. “Thank Celestia that Applebloom’s at school……” Applejack said to herself outloud, “Come on Big Mac…… please don’t be hurt. I ain’t loosin my brother today!”

The Boy was most certainly grinning under that mask. He had been just ITCHING for an opportunity to bust out his Anti Material Z93 Sniper Rifle and this occasion didn’t disappoint. It didn’t manage to pierce any of the Lanters’ defenses but he got their undivided attention, just like he wanted, plus it will be a lot easier to collect the prize with them close by anyway. He kept on firing as fast as he could even as he saw that they were flying straight for the tree he was perched in. A part of him wished that he could fire the thing faster but it was a bolt action rifle. Not much that can be done about that. Not like he would be able to use it effectively once they got close anyway.

The Lanterns were undeterred by the continued onlslaught of bullets that came at them. Every time one of those explosive rounds got near they either dodged, shieled themselves from, or, in the case of Gilda, just took the round head on and shrugged it off. It didn’t take very long for them to reach their destination. They all landed on the ground in front of the sniper’s perch and aimed their rings at the front of the tree.

“Don’t even think of firin’ another shot son!” Black Lasso shouted towards the tree. “We got you surrounded. You can’t…”

Before he could finish with his warning Gilda and Trixie immediately jumped into the leave of the tree. Crunches and cracks were quickly heard as the tree shaked violently from the struggled. Growls and grunts could be heard as well as blows of fist against bare flesh. All of a sudden both Trixie and Gilda were thrown out of the tree and they landed on the ground with a hard bounce. They both got up rather quickly and started to pace around the tree in opposite directions.

“Yer tough….. I’ll give you that much….” Black Lasso began to begin again hoping not to get interrupted again. “Our bosses asked us to look for you. You got somethin’ that belongs to them….. Where are they?”

“For the last God damned time I didn’t take your woman! She was the one coming on to me I swear!” After a voice from the tree shouted back an audible chuckle could be heard resounding from the tree.

All the sane lanterns still had their rings pointed at the tree but couldn’t help but look at each other with confused looks in their faces. Obviously they didn’t share their adversary’s sense of humor. Black Lasso did what was probably the wisest thing by ignoring what he said.

“Quit playin’ dumb you sack o’ worm shit! The Embodiments! Where are they!?” Black Lasso yelled again at the tree.

“Even if I knew where they were do you really think I would tell YOU sorry lot?” The voice from the tree replied back. “I’m in the same boat as you guys! I’m looking for them to!”

“I know bull crap when I hear it!” Vinyl began to shout as well. “Get down from the tree right now mister!”

“Fine. Don’t believe me. See if I care.” A black shape suddenly jumped down from the branches with the large rifle still in his hands. His feet landed firmly on the ground as the rest of his body landed in a crouched position from the momentum next to the bag slumped on the side of the tree. He got up and turned towards then lanterns, his mask shining in the sun light. Most of his head and the entirety of his neck was covered by a rather shiny black cloth while he face was hidden behind a grinning mask of gold. However his eyes were still hidden from view by a black cloth built over the eye sockets inside of the mask itself. The cloth was thin enough for the one wearing it to still see outside but dark enough to keep his eyes hidden from anything looking at him from far away. They would have to be mere inches from his face to see the color of his eyes. The Lanterns hoped though that they would have to get that close.

“I’ll ask nicely one more time…..” Black Lasso inched closer to the tall black figure standing before them. “Where are the Embodiments?”

“I already fricking told you I don’t know where they are……. But I will tell you something I DO know.” The Boy replied as he pulled a couple of sheathed swords out of the sack and tied them to the belt around his waist. “What I do know is that once I do find them I’ll need some rings to be able to use their powers properly………” He started to walk towards the group whilst pulling out one of the long straight double bladed swords at his hip. “Now if you all would just save me the trouble and just…… give me your rings I would really appreciate it.”

“That’s not going to happen!” Derpy yelled at him pointing her ring directly at him. “I’ve got a special somepony and a daughter to protect! There is no way in Tartarus I’m going to let you threaten them.”

With a sigh he starts to reach into a pouch on the outside of his jacket. “Pity, and I was hoping we would reach an understanding…….” He pulls out a small green tube with what looks almost like a trigger and pin attached to it. “Oh well…….” He unwraps a finger from the hilt of his sword and pulls the pin out. “More fun for me…” He throws the object at the center of the group and before they can react an extremely bright flash explodes from the small object upon landing. The lanterns all start trying to compose themselves after being blinded by the flash.

Vinyl Scratch opens her eyes again looking around. The images she sees blur and warp as her eyes still try to recover from the flash. Then she feels the wind knocked out of her as she feels something large and heavy tackle her to the ground. She struggles and tries to fight back instinctively. She lands a couple of light blows and smacks but the mass seems to ignore them. The figure manages to pin her to the ground by tangling her legs with its own and keeping her down with one arm pushing against her own. The arm with her ring is stretched out on the ground as the figure pointed something at it. Her sight begins to return as she struggles harder and harder trying to escape. She finds the golden mask staring her straight in the face. The Boy’s head turns as he lowers the edge of his sword towards the hoof bearing her ring. He let’s go of her forehoof to hold the one with the ring down. With her hoof now free she strains against his sword arm trying her best to push it away. Despite her efforts the blade slowly starts to descend again, getting closer and closer to the flesh just to the side of her ring.

“Let her go creep!”

The Boy turns and instantly jumps off of Vinyl as a bolt of bolt of blue light barely misses him but almost hits Vinyl.

Octavia keeps her ring at the ready poised to fire another shot.

The Boy starts to charge at her pulling the second sword out of its sheath with this one being a curved single edged blade.

She fires another bolt but The Boy blocks it with his blade. When he arrives within striking distance both blades descend on her. She raises her other forehoof with a shield instantly forming and blocking the two blades.

“I gotcha Oc-!” the wind is knocked out of Vinyl again as she is kicked out of the air.

The Boy then turns back around towards Octavia, one of his blades still against her shield. He swings his foot low knocking the musician off her feet and onto the ground. Once she falls she is kicked as well which sends her flying with her back hitting a tree with a loud crack. The Boy twirls the blades in his hands and watches as the others start to regain their sight. “Alright flunkies who’s next?!”

Trixie instantly swings a construct claw at The Boy who promptly blocks it with one of his swords. Trixie then grabs the blade with her magic and tries to pull it out of his hand but is hit hard in the head with the butt of the other sword’s hilt. She swings at him with her free hoof but it too is blocked before The Boy gives her a hard knee to the stomach. She lurches forward before she feels fingers start to clutch her head. Her head is pulled down before receiving a hard blow to the jaw.

She falls to the ground on her back as The Boy pulls back his knee. He turns and sees Gilda getting ready to ready to charge. Quickly he sheathes his blades and pulls out a pair of pistols from under his jacket and starts firing at her. She jumps to the side as a trail of bullets starts hitting the ground behind her. She goes a quarter-circle around him before lunging at him. The Boy jumps out of the way just in time as Gilda is about to hit him. Then she hears a loud thunk. She opens her and sees that her beak is now stuck in the side of the tree. She almost starts to pull it out before she feels a hard kick to the back of her head. Now her beak is deeply lodged into the tree with the bark almost touching the rest of her face. She starts to struggle, spit, and screech trying to get herself free.

Derpy forms a spear and charges at The Boy. Little Strongheart concentrates as the star sapphire insignia forms above her forehead. She too generates a spear construct with her staff and starts charging at The Boy. The Boy sees them charging and casually sidesteps them as the two lanterns stop before they accidently hit each other. Just as they are about to turn to stand together The Boy charges and grabs both of them by the backs of their heads. He hits their heads against each other before he throws them aside.

Black Lasso looks on as The Boy turns towards him. Black Lasso brings his forehooves together and cracks his neck. “Guess none of the others were fighters before they got recruited.”

“And you think you’re some kind of badass?” The Boy replies as he walks towards Black Lasso.

“I’m a bounty hunter son……” He lifts himself on his hind legs and lifts up his forehooves in a boxing pose. Normally he wouldn’t be able to stand like this and fight but the flight powers of the ring are helping him keep his balance. “You have to be one to get your marks back in one piece. Plus I’ve taken on bigger things than you.” He shows off a few quick jabs with his forehooves before steadying himself ready for an attack.

“So you want to go old fashioned fisticuffs huh?” The Boy starts to crack his knuckles. He pulls up his sleeves to his elbows before resuming his walk. “Maybe you’ll turn out to actually be a challenge……. This should be fun………” A wide grin starts to form beneath the golden mask.

*****

Her thoughts raced as she darted around the numerous trees of her apple orchard. Was her brother ok? Will her family still be able to support themselves with all this damage to their farm? How will she find the guy who started all this? When she does find him? How will she fight him? Will those lights she saw flyin’ around help? Would she just get in the way? These questions and more dominated her thoughts with a vengeance. At least the explosions have stopped. At least now she can actually hear herself think.

“AJ! Are you alright!?”

Applejack looked up to the sky and saw a familiar rainbow streak head towards her. When that streak got closer and landed gently on the ground it was a sight AJ never thought she would be so happy to see. “I’m fine Rainbow Dash……” Applejack sighed as she wiped the sweat from off her forehead. “You have no idea how happy I am to see you right now.”

“I saw the damage over by the farm but what in the hay is going on?!” Rainbow Dash looked around trying to catch her breath. “Ever since those booms went off the whole town’s gone nuts with panic thinking we’re getting attacked or something. They got even more worried when they stopped. Twilight’s getting the others and they’ll be on their way soon.”

“You remember that son of a bitch who threatened to eat us last night?” Applejack looked at Rainbow Dash still exasperated.

“Tch. How could I know. He tried to kill me twice now. What about him?”

“Rainbow…….” Applejack looked to the ground still trying to catch her breath. “He attacked the farm.”

“What?! Why!?”

“Accordin’ to Granny Smith some colored floatin’ ponies, a buffalo, and a griffon came around askin to look around the farm. She was about to give them permission when suddenly two of them got shot down out of the sky. After that just came a bunch of bangs and explosions……..” Applejack lifted her head and looked at Dash. “I saw them fly towards the center of the orchard…… if they are who I think they are….. Gilda might have been one of the ones going after ‘im.”

“Gilda?!” Rainbow Dash now shared AJ’s look of concern.

“Please help me Dash! My brother went into the orchard looking for something’ and he hasn’t been seen since this before this whole mess started.” Applejack walked over and placed her hooves on Rainbow’s shoulders before tears started to form in her eyes. “I’m scared Rainbow……… I don’t wanna lose my brother to that thing…….”

Rainbow Dash lifts her hoof and places it on Applejack’s shoulder. “And you won’t. Trust me. He’ll be alright.”

Applejack took her hooves off of Rainbow Dash and starts to wipe away the tears before they start streaming. “Thank you Rainbow….”

“Pull yourself together Applejack! We’ll find your brother, but first things first we need to take that out before he causes anymore trouble. Where did you say they were flying to?”

AJ took a deep breath and steadied herself. “They flew towards a tree in the center of the orchard.”

“Alright!” Rainbow Dash jumped into the air and started to fly again. “Come on AJ! Let’s go kick that thing’s ass before Twilight and the others get here!”

Her confidence returned, the country mare started ahead full gallop behind her friend with a smile on her face. “You said it Rainbow! Let’s do this!”

*****

Black Lasso and The Boy continued with their tussle at the center of the orchard. They threw a flurry of punches and kicks at each other with neither of them seeming to get a solid advantage. When one punched the other blocked or sidestepped. When one kicked the other dodged it, blocked it, or countered with a kick of their own. Neither side was going to back down from this one.

“Pretty good for a quadruped…..” The Boy blocked an oncoming punch before swinging his elbow at his opponent’s jaw.

Black Lasso blocked and redirected the elbow strike before pushing The Boy away to get some distance. “You aren’t bad yourself son……. You fight better than most punks I find myself tasslin’ with….”

“Except I’m not some ordinary punk!” The Boy launched a hard kick right for Black Lasso’s head.

Black Lasso blocked the kick then charged and managed to tackle his opponent. He rained down punches as hard as he could on his downed rival even as said rival managed to catch or block every single punch. Next he brought his forehooves together and swung them both down for a hard bow before The Boy catches them with his hand.

“There is oooooone tiny problem with your technique…..” The Boy said with a chuckle.

“Oh yeah…. And what’s that?” Black Lasso asked as he pushed against The Boy’s block harder. All of a sudden he feels a sharp pain in his side before being kicked off. Black Lasso then fell to the ground as he felt around the area where he felt the sudden jolt of pain come from. The spot felt wet immediately at the touch. He brought his hoof in front of his face and saw blood on it. He looked towards his now standing assailant who was now twirling a tiny pocket knife in his hand.

“Your problem is that you forgot to watch where my other hand was.” He waves the now bloody pocket knife in front of Black Lasso before walking up to him.

Black Lasso started to move to try to get up before he felt another, much stronger, jolt of pain go through his entire body. He fell back on the ground holding his stomach almost starting to feel sick.

“And now your second mistake was forgetting to watch where my kick was going. Now I think your balls might start to turn blue……….” The Boy chuckled before he grabbed Black Lasso by the collar. He pulls his fallen enemy up and brings his face closer to his. “Now to finish you off and claim my prize.”

Black Lasso saw something out of the corner of his eye before looking back at The Boy. A smile started to spread across his face before he started to softly laugh.

“And why are you laughing?” The Boy asked as he tilted his head.

“I think you made a bit of a mistake to son…” He laughs again gently before he whispers. “You’re goin’ to be in for one heck of a surprise….”

“Oh yeah? And what would that beUUUH!” The Boy felt something hard and fast hit him on the side of the head. Instinctively he swung in the direction he felt the hit come from but his hand didn’t hit anything.

Black Lasso fell to the ground again he dragged himself away from The Boy so he could let the new arrivals do their thing.

The Boy started looking around trying to figure out where whatever hit him had gone. He growled loudly as he eyed his surroundings. Slowly he started to step back towards the tree that his bag was slumped against.

“Now where do you think you’re goin’ sugarcube?”

As soon as he turned around he saw a pair of hooves flying towards his face. He barely managed to block in time before the hit sent him flying briefly in the air before he fell on his back.

Applejack flared her nostrils confidently as she watched The Boy fall to the ground. Rainbow Dash flew over to her and took her place standing next to her. Applejack raised one of her hooves in the air Rainbow Dash loudly clapped with one of her own.

“That was a long time coming buckhole!” Rainbow Dash started to laugh along with Applejack. They both crouched and steadied themselves as the saw The Boy starting to get up.

The Boy picks up his pocket as he gets up. He wipes the blood off of it with his fingers before he folds it and puts it back in his pocket. He starts to look around trying to assess the situation. One by one he sees the other lanterns getting up getting themselves ready to start fighting again. Gilda finally manages to get her beak from out of the tree before she gifts an enraged roar. She turns her head towards The Boy and gives a loud bird screech spraying the acidic red liquid far out in front of her. Derpy readied her spear construct while Little Strongheart readied her staff. Vinyl flares her nostrils before Octavia walks next to her crackling her neck. Trixie too is slowly getting herself up and starts to stare at The Boy before a greedy smile spreads on her face. Even Black Lasso starts to pull himself up and getting ready despite still bleeding from his stab wound.

“It’s over for you jerkface!”

The Boy looks back towards Rainbow Dash and Applejack who still look ready to strike at any moment.

“Twilight and the rest of our friends will be getting her pretty soon, and as badass as you seem to think you are I doubt you can take on thirteen of us all at once.” Rainbow Dash grins as she stares The Boy down. “It’s over freak! There is no possible way you can win now.”

The Boy starts laughing before reaching into one of the pouches of his jacket. “So now all of a sudden you think you’re hot shit just because you managed to land a hit on me… and maybe you’re right about me not being able to take one thirteen opponents at once.” He pulls out three of the same kind of grenade that he used before. “I’ve got a couple more tricks up my sleeve. I may not be the winner here….” He pulls the pins from the grenades and throws them around him. “BUT THERE’S NO WAY IN HELL YOU”RE TAKING ME ALIVE!!!”

“Cover your eyes!” Black Lasso shouts to Dash and Applejack.

“Huh?!” before she could hear any response three extremely bright flashes of light over take all of the Equestrians’ sight. Even despite the grenade thrown previously they were all blinded again by it.

Instantly The Boy started to run and make his move. The Boy quickly picked up his rifle off the ground, strapped the large bag to his back, and started sprinting as fast as he can towards the forest.

Rainbow Dash and Applejack started to rub their eyes and saw the shape running off towards the forest with his equipment in his hands.

“Oh you’re not getting away from us!” Applejack shouted as she instinctively started running towards the moving black mass. She was still able to manage dodging and running through the trees despite her vision not having fully returned yet.

Her vision had not yet returned either before Rainbow Dash took to the skies and followed AJ as she chased The Boy towards the edge of the orchard. Slowly but surely both her and Applejack's vision began to return more fully. They were better able to watch the flash of black as they watched it sprint from tree to tree.

As they continued their pursuit they began to catch up to their target.

“ALRIGHT!” Applejack shouted as Rainbow Dash joined her. “We’re gaining on ‘im! Let’s end this!”

“Awwww heck yeah!” Rainbow Dash returned the vote of confidence as she lands and starts to gallop alongside AJ.

Quickly they notice the black mass stopping and hunching over something. They both pick up the pace trying to get to him as quickly as possible.

Once they are close enough to see the gold sheen of his mask The Boy gets up and turn’s toward them.

“One more step and he dies!”

Applejack stops right in her tracks followed by Rainbow Dash. She opens her eyes to see herself standing about 15 feet away from The Boy. As she looks onward she notices a really strong smell in the air. It confuses her as it’s a smell that she’s never experienced before. The smell is very very strong. So much so in fact she can almost taste it in the air. As she brings her mind away from the smell she notices something large and red gripped in The Boy’s left hand.

“Big Mac!” Applejack shouts with concern. Big Macintosh doesn’t respond to her call and she instantly turns her eyes towards the face of the one holding him by the mane. “Let my brother go you piece of shit! What did you do to him?!”

“So he’s your brother huh?” The Boy throws his head back and starts to laugh. “Not like I couldn’t already tell from the half apple on his ass. Don’t worry dearie. He’s just taking an extended nap courtesy of moi.”

“You’ve done enough damage to my farm!” Applejack shouted at him with a growl. “There is no buckin’ way I’m going to let you leave here with my brother!”

“Oh I see how it is….. Don’t think too highly of your friend here. I wasn’t planning on taking him anyway. I need to travel relatively lightly…… You want him back?” The Boy hoisted Big Mac up over his head with both hands. “Then catch him bitch!” He chucks Big Macintosh right towards Applejack and Rainbow Dash.

Both of them reach out their forehooves to try to catch him. He lands into their hooves but not without taking both of them to the ground with him.

As the two mares pick themselves up and try to wake Big Mac, The Boy pulls out a lighter from a pouch inside his jacket. “Hey Apple bitch!”

Rainbow Dash and Applejack look up towards The Boy as he starts a small flame with his lighter.

“That stuff you’re smelling in the air? It’s a little thing that my people call gasoline. You wanna know the best part about the stuff?” The Boy stretches out his arm and holds the lighter in front of him with only two fingers.

Applejack looks at the ground and notices an unnatural shine in the grass. She looks around and sees the shine stretch to a tree nearby. She follows it the other direction and the other end to goes to an apple tree. Her heart starts to sink as she notices the wet grass all around the trees in this part of the orchard.

“Gasoline…… is highly flammable.” He drops the lighter to the ground and instantly a blaze comes up from the grass and spreads along the lines of gasoline poured on the ground. Applejack watches in horror as one by one trees start to go up in flames slowly destroying the precious apples growing on them.

She looks towards where The Boy stands and sees the lights and shadows of the flames dance in the reflection of his grinning golden mask. She hears a loud laugh start to reverberate through her orchard as she watches him walk away and disappear admits the flames.