It was a late night at Twilight's castle where an appreciation party was being held for Spike the dragon. A wide range of guests was invited from all across Equestria, from the humble townsponies of Ponyville to the highest levels of royalty. Everypony had come to show Spike their love and support. They all wanted to show Spike that anypony can love a dragon, scales and all.
For Spike, it was an evening like no other. The stories they shared, the speeches that were made and the overall ambiance of love had moved his heart right down to its very core. Although the party was the result of his failed confession to Rarity, he was able to make amends with her and accept her friendship. Much to his surprise, more than any other pony's (with probably the exception of Zecora), Spike was able to find that special somepony, Sweetie Belle. He smiled warmly at the white unicorn as she was talking with her friends. It was truly a fantastic night.
The party was slowly coming to an end, and the number of ponies remaining began to dwindle as they returned to their homes. Pinkie Pie was on the dance floor encouraging any remaining pony to join her. Fluttershy who had had enough dancing for the night decided to take a break instead, walking over to one of the balconies that overlooked the town. She wasn't alone for long as Rainbow Dash, Applejack, Twilight, and Rarity soon joined her. The mares all smiled at each other, congratulating themselves on the evening's efforts.
"This was a lovely idea, Rarity," Twilight said warmly. Looking over her shoulder, she giggled at the purple and green dragon now sleeping on a couch, his claws around a white unicorn's hoof as she too slept beside him. "He looks really happy."
"They do make a very cute couple," Rarity said agreeing with the lavender alicorn. A sad sigh escaped her lips however and was noticed by Applejack almost immediately.
"Jealous," Applejack joked nudging the white unicorn playfully with a mocked raised eyebrow.
"Hmmm ... " Rarity nodded in response blissfully. Her eyes widened however at the belated realization that her response could have been misconstrued as something more. She cleared her throat quickly before any of her friends could say another word. "I mean, I must confess that I am a little jealous that my dear, younger sister has found her special somepony before I have, but " Rarity paused for a moment looking back at Sweetie Belle and Spike, "but I'm happier that they found each other. I just had no idea she felt like that."
"It certainly came to a surprise to us all," added Fluttershy, taking a sip of her apple cider. Looking over the balcony once more, she smiled in satisfaction. "Tonight has been nice."
"It certainly has," Twilight beamed as she walked over to the edge of the balcony, sitting next to Fluttershy. Looking up, she pointed a hoof out to the stars beckoning her friends to gather. "Luna has certainly outdone herself tonight."
"The stars look absolutely magnificent," Rarity said in awe.
"Look y'all can even see the constellations," Applejack said smiling as she looked up, which earned a surprised look from her friends'. "You see that one up there. That one is Equuleus."
Rainbow Dash, Rarity, and Fluttershy looked over to Twilight, who nodded confirming that Applejack was indeed correct. "How do you know what they are called?" asked Rainbow Dash.
Applejack continued to look up, and whilst a hint of sadness could be felt, her gentle smile remained on her face. "My pa used to take Big Mac and me out and point them out. He used to tell us what they were called and the stories behind them," she answered. "Big Mac knows more than I do though."
"I have a few books on star constellations, if you ever want to read more about them," Twilight offered, placing a foreleg around Applejack's shoulder.
"Yeah, I’d like that," Applejack said returning the hug.
"Oh! No fair! You're all going stargazing without me," huffed Pinkie Pie who had appeared seemingly out of nowhere, telescope in hoof. "Luckily I brought this along for such an occasion."
The mares would've been shocked, but they all took it in their stride knowing that this is how their friend usually acted. As Pinkie Pie was setting up, Twilight offered a helping hoof whilst Rarity, and Fluttershy watched them with interest. Applejack continued pointing her hoof at a different part of the sky to Rainbow Dash. "You see that one is the Pleiades constellation."
"The what now?" Rainbow Dash asked confused.
Applejack gestured her hoof once again, repeating herself once more."The Pleiades constellation, it's just over there, a bunch of six stars together." After helping Pinkie Pie set up the telescope, Twilight, Rarity, and Fluttershy joined Rainbow Dash hoping to listen to the rest of Applejack's story. Pinkie Pie took this opportunity to look over her stargazing charts and make final adjustments to the telescope.
"The Pleiades are also called the Seven Sisters. See the story goes that these six sisters were married to royalty. Only one sister decided to marry an earth pony farmer. The family don't like him much cos he ain't a royal 'n' all, so she's hidin away and her father condemned him to stone over at the top of Mount Everhoof."
"Wow, I didn't know that the stars would have such stories," said Fluttershy amazed.
"That's is both romantic and tragic," said Rarity. "We should do this more often. I would love to hear more stories."
"Yes me too," agreed Fluttershy.
Rainbow Dash looked between the star constellation and Applejack confused more than ever. "But there are only six stars. How can there be seven sisters?"
Twilight chuckled. "Rainbow there's more than six stars. It's likely dozens more, but you can only see six with the naked eye. If you use the telescope you'll be able to see them for yourself."
Rainbow Dash huffed. "All I see is a bunch of stars."
"That's cos you got to use your imagination," said Applejack reassuringly.
"All finished," sang Pinkie Pie, confetti and all. "Ready to have a look?"
"Are there any more stories like the last one?" asked Fluttershy shyly.
"Bleh! All this lovey-dovey stuff is getting way too much for me," Rainbow Dash said rolling her eyes and making a vomit like gesture. The five mares glanced over at Rainbow Dash and chuckled to themselves at their friend's expense. She never was the romantic type, and the many demonstrations of affection that had occurred throughout the course of the evening was a bit too much for her to handle. Having had enough stargazing for the night, Rainbow walks back to the party leaving her friends behind.
"Hey look that one is O'Brien," Pinkie Pie squealed joyfully and pointed to another part of the sky not far from the previous constellation. "See the three stars that look like a big old pot."
"I think you mean Orion," said Twilight flatly, correcting the pink party mare. "It's Orion the Warrior, and that's his belt."
Rainbow slowed, her ears perking up with curiosity at the name of the constellation. Orion the Warrior?
"What is the story of that constellation?" asked Rarity. "Is it by any chance related to the Seven Sisters?"
"There are actually many different adventure stories associated with Orion the Warrior," Twilight began but looked over to the country earth pony. "... but I am curious to know your father's versions of these stories, Applejack. Would you like to tell us one of his?"
"Oh shucks, well I would love to Twi," Applejack said. She chuckled aloud and adds, "actually that one, is one of Big Mac's favourites."
A story about the adventures of an awesome warrior? Now that was more her style. Rainbow Dash raced back to her group of friends eager to listen to the story and see the constellation for herself. She squeezed herself in between Rarity and Fluttershy gleefully, much to their amusement.
"My pa said that Orion was a mighty warrior. Big fella, who was strong and protected many creatures and ponies alike. There are many stories, like the time he protected a village against a huge scorpion." As Applejack was telling the story of Orion's heroic adventures, she used her forelegs to emphasize the size of his opponents and many battles.
Rainbow Dash was squealing with excitement. She would have loved to meet a pony like that, or rather she would have preferred to be that pony. "There was even a story of how he fought and won against other evil god-like ponies."
"I hope the Scorpion was alright," Fluttershy muttered softly.
Applejack then paused for a moment, looking down before facing the girls. "I'm afraid that's far as his adventures go."
"No that can't be it," said Rainbow Dash in disbelief. She was eager to hear more of Orion's escapades. "Come on! There's got to be more than that. Please, tell us what happened?"
"Well, you see ... he fell in love with one of the Seven Sisters."
Rainbow Dash smacked a hoof to her forehead, her mood and body deflating. Ahh horse apples. More love stories, she thought to herself. She remained however as her friends, Fluttershy's and Rarity's eyes widened begging to hear more.
"Their pah wasn't havin any of it, so he turned him into the stars where he would forever chase her. Never able to get to the one he loved."
At these words, Rainbow Dash stood up. Fluttershy and Rarity gasped whilst Pinkie Pie jumped in frustration. "That's it?" Pinkie shouted her jaw dropped in disbelief.
Despite not being a romantic herself; even Rainbow would have acknowledged that after all these heroic feats that Orion deserved to be happy with that special somepony. The rest of the mares, however, were still fuming over the ending.
"I can't believe he would do such a thing!" said Rarity incredulously with a hoof placed on her chest. "What a brute!"
"That ... That ..." Fluttershy stuttered failing to find the words to describe her feelings towards this father character accurately.
Applejack smirked, satisfied with her friends' reactions. She shrugged her shoulders apathetically, further aggravating them. "That's the apples he'd be handed."
"What a rotten apple bag," Rainbow Dash lets out accidentally. Her friends gasped out loud. Rainbow Dash looks questionably at her friends' scornful glares. "What?"
"Rainbow," the seamstress retorted angrily, her white cheeks blushing hard. "Such language!"
"But he is!" rebutted the colourful pegasus.
Twilight looked at her friends and felt an explanation was needed to calm the situation before they got too excited. "Girls, relax. Look, you shouldn't take these stories seriously, I mean most of them-."
"Big old meanie!" Fluttershy shouted before quickly covered her mouth, realizing her sudden outburst. Her friends were startled gazing questionably at the yellow pegasus who began squirming uncomfortably in embarrassment.
"Yeah, not the nicest pony," added Pinkie Pie breaking the tension. The girls looked at each briefly and begin to laugh amongst themselves.
"So should we head back?" asked Applejack looking inside to the empty hall, the party having long ended.
"Yes, I do believe we should help clean up this mess," answered Rarity, subtly gesturing to her friends to assist.
As the girls moved back inside, Rainbow Dash opted to stay outside for a bit longer, staring intently at Orion's belt once more.
Poor guy, she thought to herself.
Just as she was about to leave, however, she turned her head slightly to look at the constellation once more. It was barely a glance, but she saw enough to notice that something was amiss. One of the stars on Orion’s belt was shining brighter than the others. She squinted her eyes, focusing on the middle star only to realize that it was not only getting brighter ... but bigger too.
All of sudden it grew from the size of a large pinhead to a tennis ball in a matter of seconds. Shocked and bewildered, Rainbow Dash scrambled to the archway and screamed for the others to come outside. “Twilight! Applejack! Everypony! Come quick! Something is happening to Orion's belt!"
“What is it, Rainbow Dash?” asked a bemused Twilight.
Applejack was just behind Twilight, and rolled her eyes at what seemed like an obvious attempt to get out of work. “If you’re trying to get out of cleaning again-”
“The star - it just -” spluttered Rainbow. Ignoring their questioning glances, she points her hoof frantically at Orion. “Just look will you!"
The three pairs of eyes widened as they followed the star move closer and closer. Pinkie Pie, Rarity, and Fluttershy rushed to join them, and watched in astonishment. The star stops abruptly and hovers for several minutes, dominating the night sky. Fluttershy and Rarity grasp onto each, trembling in fear as it begins to pulsate a golden yellow hue.
"W-w-what do you think it means, Twi?" Applejack gulped nervously; her gaze still fixated on the UFO.
"I-I-I'm not sure," Twilight stammered. "I've never seen anything like it."
"LOOK OUT!" screamed Pinkie as the bright object started to twist and enlarge.
Heeding Pinkie’s warning, the girls dropped to the ground, covering their eyes and heads in anticipation of the unknown. All, with the exception of Fluttershy who stood frozen in place, her bottom lip trembling as the object pulsated faster and violently.
"HIT THE DECK!" Rainbow shouted, tackling Fluttershy to the ground and shielding the frighten mare with her body. As the other braced themselves, Rainbow and Twilight glanced back at the object in defiant curiosity.
Suddenly, a ball-like object broke away from the main body of the star, darting across the night sky in a northerly direction. A small, bright explosion of light could be seen as it made landfall near the Crystal Empire. Rainbow stood up and followed the trail of light into the distance, but it dissipated as quickly as it came.
Twilight joined Rainbow Dash as another portion broke away, this time moving in a westernly direction, landing in the mountains. As the third made its way, this time south, Applejack, Pinkie and Rarity opened their eyes watching the spectacle before them. This happened three more times, before Rainbow Dash nudged Fluttershy's side, encouraging the timid pegasus to watch. Fluttershy looked up hesitantly but gathered the courage to do the same as her friends stand beside her.
The final and seventh ball moved directly up before soaring in a northeast direction, landing near Canterlot. Twilight and Rarity gasped, concern raised for the two Princesses and the cities’ residents. The others, however, remained fixated on the last portion of the star which hovered high above.
“Look,” shouted Rainbow Dash as she noticed a change in the pulsating star. Its colors wavering between a mixture of yellow and blue.
Without any warning, it dropped in a free fall over Ponyville. Before the girls could react, however, it suddenly changed direction swooping over the castle just above their heads. It begins to descend, smashing into every tree until it crashes deep into the Everfree forest and shaking the earth violently beneath them.
The tremors, although brief, could be felt for miles around, but it was the deafening sound that awoken the sleepy and bewildered residents of Ponyville. The girls stood there briefly unsure what to make of the events that had just occurred. Pinkie was the first to speak, breaking the silence. "What was that?"
Unable to answer, she turned to face the pink mare slowly. "I'm not sure, but I need to report this to Princess Celestia and Princess Luna. Perhaps they know something."
"I say we go over there and see for ourselves first," said Rainbow Dash bravely, earning a terrified squeak from Fluttershy. "We can get a bit more information and then report back to the Princess.
"What in there?" shrieked Rarity in disbelief. "I think not!"
Twilight shook her head profusely at the suggestion. "We don't know what we are facing Rainbow," Twilight replied, caution apparent in her voice. "Like I said, the Princesses may have some information, and we had better go in prepared."
"I agree," said Applejack in full support of the lavender alicorn. "It'd be a fool's errand."
"TWILIGHT!"
The girls jump at Spike's sudden intrusion, a scroll in his claw and the Cutie Mark Crusaders behind him.
"It's a letter from Princess Celestia," he huffed. Using her magic, Twilight opened the scroll reading its contents.
My Dearest Twilight,
I have just been made aware of the falling and breaking of the star from Orion's Belt. My sister does not have an explanation as to these unexpected events nor have I ever witnessed such a phenomenon. I have dispatched most of my guards to investigate the closest landing sites, and notified Princess Cadance and Shining Armour as well.
I am sorry Twilight, but I must ask you and your friends to investigate the crash landing in the Everfree Forest and report back to me your findings immediately. We need to establish the cause and find out what is happening. I don't have any reinforcements that I can send you.
I place my trust in you and am confident that you will all be able to accomplish your mission. I wish you the best in your endeavors.
The fate of Equestria may lie in your hooves.
Yours faithfully,
Princess Celestia.
Twilight reread the middle paragraph, again and again, confirming Celestia's request and her worst fears. Impatient, Rainbow tapped Twilight's shoulder. "So what does it say?"
"Yeah Twi? Does the Princess know what's the hay is goin on?" asked Applejack.
She doesn't break away from the scroll, keeping it over her face. She gulped audibly, her voice shaking, "Princess Celestia doesn't know." Everypony gasped, Fluttershy quivering on her hooves. She then dropped the scroll to face the girls, and Spike whom are all eager to hear more. " ... she has asked us to go into Everfree Forest (gulp) to go investigate the crash site."