My Brave Pony Starfleet Magic: Season VI

by DakariKingMykan

Episode 10: Founders Day-Saster

Lippy Sync was in his room drawing, one of his favorite pastimes, what with his mother being so busy, not to mention pushy and nasty. His favorite things to draw were of Starfleet; he admired the brave fighters so much and hated that his mother and other citizens in the village were so against them.

His mother of course knew nothing about them, as he kept all his drawings hidden in a book which he kept in a secret place; a loose baseboard in the floor in his room.

“LIPPY!!” his mother shouted. Lippy quickly hid his drawings and his book away and quickly pretended to be studying for school just as his grouchy mother came in, “Yes, mom?”

“Dinner, now…!” and she left, slamming the door. 

Poor Lippy couldn’t understand his mother and why she had this need to get in everyone faces. 

Nevertheless he made it to the table where his brother, Biffy Box and his father Big Chump were already there, and eating rudely. “Well, well, the little prince showed up.” his father teased.

“I was studying.” Lippy said.

Biffy sneered at him “That’s what I love about being out of school; No homework, no studying, No tests, and no geeks!” that last slur he hinted at his little brother, whom did not take it well. “Stop teasing me!”

“Enough!” snarled Big Chump, “I like to enjoy my dinner without the drama.”

“Quiet all of you!” Windy shouted, and her family hushed down “I’ve got a big project coming up, and the sooner I get it done the happier we’ll all be!”

Lippy felt curious; ever since his mother had begun this project of hers, he had been wondering what it was about, but every time he tried to ask his mother would throw such a fit and scold him, and so he decided not to bother with it.

After dinner, Windy Bag was back to work in her office, in town hall, downstairs, and she was extremely furious about the next day; United Equestria’s birthday as well as it being Starfleet’s Founders Day too, and there would be a big celebration held in all the major cities and villages, except for hers that is, it was her right to not allow it if she wished. She was not violating the law, or anyone else who did not wish to celebrate or attend, but what really infuriated her about it was how many more ponies and creatures were actually planning on celebrating.

“Idiots!” she grumbled “Absolute stupidity! How can these people celebrate something so dumb?”

Just then, there was a knock at the door. “ENTER!” she shouted, and one of her secretaries came in with another letter for her, and then she left as ordered so Windy Bag could study the letter in person.

She read it, and grinned wickedly. “It won’t be too long now.” and then she looked back at her old map of Equestria of old. Whatever she was planning had something related to it, but whatever it was it was only going to mean trouble for the supportive United Equestrians.

*Mykan’s POV*

The next day, the big celebration was held in New Canterlot, while other villages were celebrating in their own way.

The streets were all decked up like a giant block party in every district. School was candled for the day, but some still had to work, especially many Starfleet officers were still patrolling to watch out for enemy attack, but they kept the spirit of the day in their hearts as well.

This was United Equestria’s fourth birthday since it was created after The Great War; when Equestria and Unicornicopia were destroyed and United Equestria was created form their remains.

Ironically, it was also the same day as Starfleet’s Founders Day; one-thousand and fifty-five years since it was first established and begun their pledge to rid the universe of evil and injustice.

Ironically still, in two more day it would be the wedding anniversary of Grand Ruler Celesto and Queen Celestia, but even to their majesties that was just a minor thing compared to the events now.

I sat with the Mane five and with spike at a special round table, reserved for the top officers. They invited me as a special guest for my first time. “This is all too amazing…” I said “And strange, on my planet there have been holidays or celebrations of the same type, but they were never both or all held on the same day.” 

“Aw, that’s a shame.” said Pinkie “If it was my birthday every day, not only would I celebrate, but I’d get to celebrate all the other holidays as well.” and she began to imagine all the other holidays mixed with her birthday; Hearths Warming, Hearts and Hooves, Thanksgiving, Winter Wrap up… “Wait, that last one’s not really a holiday.”

The rest of us rolled our eyes.

“Hey, where are Lightning and the others?” I asked.

“Oh, they’re getting ready for the hymn.” answered Applejack “Before we can get down to partyin’ we need to take a few moments to remember the braveness of Starfleet, and honor all those before them.”

“Oh, I get it…” I said “Like a sort of Remembrance Day honoring.”

The others nodded, and Fluttershy seemed excited, “This is their first year of actually performing the hymn. Only the top ranking and best officers have the privilege of that.”

“We’re all just First-Class Majors, so that leaves us out.” said Rainbow. 

Rarity sipped her tea, “But we still get all this luxurious V.I.P treatment for the feasts. Oh, I should have brought something more suitable to wear than my dress-uniform. Oh, but then again it is regulation.”

“Yadda-Yadda-Ya…” I muttered. 

Rarity and I still had a bit of love-hate friendship between the two of us. There were times in which we bickered, and other times that we didn’t, but we got along… in an okay way, but it did annoy me the way she complained about fashion all the time.

The only one of us who seemed to be totally silent was Spike. He had a very deep look of sadness on his face, but before anyone could question why the royal fanfare sounded from the palace gate, and their royal majesties were announced by Captain Shaina, “Grand Ruler Celesto, Queen Celestia, and Princess Luna; Co-Rulers of United Equestria.”

Their majesties came out through the gates of the palace and walked across the drawbridge. The public cheered and shouted with joy.

Grand Ruler raised his hands, and the crowds hushed, and he and his family gave their opening speech. He went first, “On this auspicious occasion, we are gathered here today, not only to honor the anniversary of Starfleet, but to celebrate the birth of United Equestria; our home, our world, and our union.”

Celestia then stepped forth, “Speaking on behalf of Equestia. As you all know, our world was attacked by emissaries we were not able to defeat alone. Had it not been for the aid of Starfleet, and the Space Ponies, our lives would have been surely lost along with our entire world. The price we had paid was staggering, just as the Space Ponies had felt when their own home world, the planet Unicornicopia was destroyed.”

Hearing that made several ponies feel a little downhearted, and the Equestrians felt sorry for them.

Princess Luna stepped forth, “Our efforts to save our home-world were in vain, but our lives were spared the destruction, and before long our new world was born, and our new lives began. Not to mention we all got these rather interesting new bodies.”

Pretty much all the ponies gathered liked their humanoid bodies; they made their lives so much easier than before-- now able to perform menial tasks with their hands instead of their mouths or magic. This would help get a lot more done a lot more efficiently, especially for those who couldn’t do magic.

Grand Ruler took over again, “As we look out on our world and the wonderful alliance that has been forged, we want you all to know that we appreciate the mutual peace among you all, and that we will do all we can in future against invaders and war-mongers. However, as is the custom and very prudent to Starfleet, we should pay our respects to the many Starfleet fighters of the past, and those whom we have lost in recent times; those who have fought valiantly to defend us all, and to give us all the chance to continue the fight against evil.”

With that, their majesties took their special seats at the head table, and directed everyone’s attention to the stage set where Lightning and all his friends in their dress uniforms and their hates and berets stood at microphones, ready to sing a hymn that had been sung as a memorial to the officers of the past since Starfleet’s earliest days.

And as they sang, images of the past were magically shown behind them, showing the earliest days of Starfleet up to the present, and how they had come such a long way and suffered a lot in their struggle against evil.

Fluttershy had tears in her eyes, “Oh, that’s so sad.” she cried.

Rarity dabbed her eyes softly, “Who knew such a powerful race could be so… sensitive?”

The others all hung their heads low, but felt just as bad, and Spike seemed even sadder, which clued everyone in that he was really thinking of Twilight, and how he wished she were here now.

The song continued…

The song ended, and the soldiers on stage saluted, as well as all the soldiers in the crowds. Grand Ruler saluted bravely, and a small tear fell from his eye as he remembered all those were lost over the centuries.

Celestia could hardly hold her tears back, remembering all the guards she had lost in the battles she had fought, as well as missing Twilight Sparkle and wishing she was there.

Her sister passed her a hankie.

The crowd still applauded and gave honor to Starfleet, respecting and understanding their suffering even more.

With the sadness then over, it was time to set it all aside and party to celebrate United Equestria’s birthday, and with that the streets were all bustling with games, feasts, laughter and talking and people just mixing so people.

*POV Ends*

Up in the palace, Goldwin could only watch from the windows as he couldn’t go outside, or his magic mask would cease to function and he’d turn back into a statue, but he wasn’t alone. Canadnce and Shining Armor, also invited to the festivities had decided to stay inside and keep him company.

“Are you guys sure you want to stay here?” he asked for umpteenth time.

“Well, as fun as it would be to go down there, we just can’t leave you by yourself.” said Shining Armor.

Cadance agreed, “Besides, today’s about spending time with friends, and you’re a special friend to us too, Goldwin.”

Goldwin felt flattered. “I guess there’s more gold in your hearts than there is on me.”

Down in the streets near the palace, the festivities were a smash.

Lightning and Starla had gone to chat with their majesties, a little quality time, while Rainbow Dash had entered flying races in the events. As fast as she was, she beat all the Equestrian ponies, but she didn’t stand a chance against the space ponies. “I guess I need a little more training.”

Artie had set up a stand where he was selling small paintings and sculptures; some made by him, and some by others.

Pinkie Pie was playing with many of the little children; playing Follow-The-Leader, and making them leapt up high and throw confetti while blowing noisemakers.

Applejack was playing games with other kids, and showing them how to bob for apples. “Now, that y’all know how, give it a shot.”

The others all stood together, when Krysta and her family appeared, apologizing for being late and they were tending to a few things before they could come.

“Mother, Dad, can I go play with the children?” asked Twink.

“Have fun…” said King Topaz.

“But don’t wander outside the village.” Krysta cautioned him.

They watched the little fairy fly off, and Spike sighed “I remember Twilight and I playing like that when I was his age.” he said, and he sighed.

“Oh, Spike…” Rarity said, but her husband then smiled bravely, “I’m okay, I don’t want to spend all day moping either.”

His wife smiled and pecked him deeply on the cheek.

“We all could use the fun.” said Dyno, “Si, after all the overtime we’ve been putting in rounding up the prisoners and other monsters.” added Myte.

Suddenly, Buddy Rose looked up, and he freaked out and ducked down behind a bush.

“Buddy Rose?” asked Fluttershy “What are you doing?”

“Shhh!” he cried “It’s Tree Hugger! Please don’t tell her where I am!”

He ducked down again just as Tree Hugger, “Hey, what is up.”

“Oh, Hi Tree Hugger.” said Fluttershy.

“Say, have you guys like, seen Buddy Rose anywhere.”

The couple hated to lie to her, but Rhymey said,

“Buddy Rose, oh, no. I’ve not him here.
Have you seen him, Fluttershy dear?”

“Um… I… no I haven’t.”

Tree Hugger sighed, “Bummer, he looked so good up there singing that song. It just sent waves of vibration into my soul, and I figured of asking him to sit with me.”

They could tell that she was trying to attempt to woo Buddy Rose again.

“If we see him we’ll let you know.” said Spike. The others all agreed.

“Well, catch ya later then.” Tree said and she headed off.

Buddy poked his head up, “Is she gone?”

The others rolled their eyes, “Really, Buddy Rose. I can’t believe you. A girl like that is deeply in love with you and you won’t give her a chance.”

Buddy Rose got up, brushing the leaves and twigs from his clothes, “I can’t help it. She’s freaking me out.”

He explained that for weeks ever since Tree Hugger declared she wanted him, she had been stalking him non-stop. When he went into town, there she was, wanting to go along with him. Whenever he had free time, she would invite him out, or even back to her place.

“Even when I’m at home, I get a letter from her every day saying she either thinks of me, or that her love hasn’t died… and worst; she’s not giving up.”

Even Fluttershy and Rhymey began to realize that maybe Tree was going a tad overboard with her obsession.

“Why not make it easier…?” suggested Spike “Just tell her you’re not really into her that way.”

The others, even Buddy gasped at that thought. “Spike, I do love you, but have you no shame?!” scolded Rarity, and she motioned him to look out at Tree Hugger, “Just look at that poor pony; telling her that would crush her!”

Rarity knew this because of her obsession with being crushed in the past by those she crushed on but didn’t like her back.

“Poor Tree Hugger…” said Fluttershy, “All she wants is to get married.”

Buddy still didn’t get it, “I get that she likes me, but why is she so obsessed and in such a. She still doesn’t know me enough in person, and I don’t even know her that well.”

Fluttershy and Rhymey gawked at one another, and feeling it wasn’t really an invasion of privacy and they made no promises, Rhymey said to him…

“There is something you need to know,
a small sad tale of Tree Hugger’s woe.”

His horn glowed and he showed up an image of memories from a time Tree Hugger was visiting him and Fluttershy, and Tree Hugger explained that she had a dream, a dream of marrying someone she truly loved, but also so she wouldn’t feel so alone anymore. Her parents died in mountain climbing accident when she was young. She had no siblings.

She lived in a foster home and learned to find inner peace to quell her sadness with her hippie style, and eventually proceeded to teaching yoga and all her other famous traits so she could live on her own. She made lots of friends, including Rhymey and Fluttershy, but even with all her fame and excitement, she still lived alone in her treehouse within New Pnoyville, and she longed for companionship… in love.

“You guys are totally bodacious, and I really feel you both, but… I’m afraid I need more than just the vibes of friendship. I have to find my soulmate. I don’t know how much longer I can stand to be a solo! 

But I am willing to give my life to the guy I love.”

Rhymey stopped the images and made the illusion vanish.

“What have shown is all very real,
Maybe now you know how Tree Hugger does feel.”

Fluttershy nodded, confirming it was real.

Buddy felt deeply moved, and very sorry for Tree Hugger, and he looked at her from across and saw her sitting with some other hippie ponies. Though she looked happy and was having a good time, from what he had just heard he could even see the small hint of sadness in her eyes.

“That poor pony.” cried Rarity “She seems so happy. Who would have guessed?”

Buddy Rose remained silent and deep within his thoughts, pondering over what to do.

*Mykan’s POV*

Meanwhile, the Cutiemark Crusaders were all present at the parties too, but all that day they hadn’t played much, or eaten too much, and just continued to act as strange and as concerned as ever.

Applejack, Rainbow and I could tell something was up. “Okay, girls… let’s have it.” I said.

“Huh? What do you mean?” asked Applebloom. “Don’t you be playin’ cat’s got your tongue.” said Applejack, “You girls have been up to somethin’ and we wanna know what.”

“And don’t even think about trying to old innocent looks with us.” said Rainbow “We know you girls. It shows in your eyes, now tell us.”

The girls exchanged looks of concern and acted a little shy, but ultimately they decided to finally tell how they ended up in the mansion on top of the White Tail Mountain and were nearly cornered by that nasty pony.

“Then we just ended up back in the village.” said Sweetie Belle “But we haven’t felt the same ever since. It was so scary.”

Applejack, Rainbow and I felt very shocked, not just that the girls knew about a way to get into the mansion but they didn’t tell anyone about this.

“Girls, why didn’t you tell us before?!” scolded Rainbow.

“Hey, hey, easy RD.” said Applejack “They were scared, and who could blame ‘em.”

“We’ve got to tell Lightning.” I said.

The others, even the girls agreed, but suddenly Twin came along chasing a butterfly that had taken one of his berries. “Hey, come back here!” he shouted as he chased the little bug outside the villiage. 

“Twink…!” Krysta called as she chased after him. The others and I decided to go after them too.

The butterfly stopped on a large rock at the foot of the village, but it got away. Twink tried to chase after it, but Rainbow snatched his little wings between her fingers, “Whoa there, little fella. That’s as far as you go.”

“But he took my berry!” cried Twink, and he began to sulk. His mother was not very pleased with him. “I think you and I are going to have a long talk with your father when we get home, young fairy.”

“Aw, mom…!”

“Now, Twink…” Rainbow said as she sat down on the rock, pressing it down like a switch, and she and Twink vanished right in front of us.

“What the--!” cried Applejack.

“What happened? Where did they go?” I asked.

The girls all gawked with concern at one another, “This is just like what happened to us.” Said Scootaloo, “We know where she’s gone.”

She gazed at the other crusaders, and they nodded back at her, and before Applejack or I could react, the girls all pressed the rock and they vanished too. 

“Girls…!” I shouted.

Seeing the magic a second time told Krysta what it was, “It’s some kind of instant-transport-portal.”

“I think we figured that.” said Applejack “But where did they all go?”

I gave her a small look, and she and Krysta agreed; we were going to follow them. Krysta rested on my shoulder, and Applejack and I both pressed on the stone, teleporting away.

We appeared in a dark foyer of a dark and filthy house. “Man! What a ride!” I said, “You okay, girls?”

The girls nodded, “So this is the mansion where that Mykan Pony lives?” asked Applejack, and she stepped on a half-eaten sandwich, “Eh!”

Suddenly, “Shh, listen!” said Krysta “Do you hear that?”

We could all hear the soft sounds of footsteps in the next room, getting closer, and closer. 

I placed my hand over my sword, ready for anything. 

“Hey, hey, it’s just us.” Rainbow said as she came out with the girls and Twink.

“Twink!” cried Krysta.

“Mommy…!” 

The two little fairies flew at each other and hugged, but the reunion was shattered when someone called out “Who’s there?!”

We all jumped.

“It’s him!” cried Sweetie Belle “It’s the night stranger, and he sounds real mad.”

I felt a mixture of concern yet curious; this was him-- my pony counterpart-- I probably wouldn’t get another chance to see him or talk to him in person, but hearing him riving and thrashing about as he came on his way.

“We’ve got to get out of here.” cried DD.

“Right…” I said, and everyone huddled in towards me as I prepared my teleporter, but it didn’t work. I tapped it three times, and it didn’t even flicker. “It’s not working!” I tried it several more times. It wasn’t broken nor out of power, but it just didn’t work!

“Krysta, you try.” said Rainbow.

Krysta tried, but her teleporting powers didn’t work either. “What’s going on?” she cried.

“It must be the force-field around the house.” suggested Applejack “Whatever it is, it’s blockin’ all teleportation powers from getting’ us out.”

The crusaders then remembered, “There’s still one way out.” said Scootaloo “We have to get upstairs.”

Suddenly, there he was, at the top of the stairs. My mouth hung wide open at the very sight of him, but he was glared furiously at all of us through his dark goggles, and he looked dramatically thin, even for some ponies; very malnourished, but there was no mistaking it. This was the Mykan Stevens from this world.

He was glaring more at the crusaders than us others, “You four again!” he sneered “I feared you would be back.”

“Look, we don’t want any trouble.” said Applebloom “We came here by accident and we--” she stopped when my pony counterpart roared furiously like a beast. The poor girls, even Twink and Krysta hid behind Applejack and Rainbow, quivering in fear.

“Whoa, you seriously need to chill.” sneered Rainbow.

The Mykan Pony shakily walked down the stairs quivering in fury, “This is my house!” he growled softly “You are not welcome here. NO ONE ELSE IS WELCOME HERE!!”

His loud shouting seemed to vibrate the walls and rafters, causing dust to fall and spiders and rats to scatter about, frightening the crusaders even more.

I finally found my courage and stepped at the foot of the stairs, “Mykan, calm down.” I said to him “We’re not going to hurt you. We just want to talk.”

“Did he just call him Mykan?” asked DD.

The other girls were just as confused, but then realize that my voice was the same as the ponies.

Mykan looked at me strangely, “Who are you? You’re no pony.”

“Relax…” I said to him “My name is Mykan Stevens.”

“WHAT…?!”

“Look, I know this is hard to believe, I find it difficult myself, but I am an alternate version of you from another world.”

“He’s Mr. Steven’s pony counterpart?” Sweetie asked softly. Applejack and Rainbow nodded, confirming it was true.

The crusaders were amazed to hear that. “I thought he sounded familiar.” said Applebloom.

Mykan only quivered more angrily than ever, “I don’t believe you! I don’t believe anyone! JUST LEAVE ME ALONE IN PEACE!!”

He was raving so hard, that he actually pulled on the banister, breaking it off, and fell over the side onto the floor.

“Come on, now’s our chance!” cried Scootaloo, and she and the crusaders began to rush upstairs.

“Wait, we should really take him with us.” said Rainbow, but seeing my pony-self fuss about in such a furious tantrum as he struggled to get up, “Never mind!”

We all agreed it was better to get the children to safety first. So we all rushed up the stairs, but I stopped a moment and gazed back down at my pony-self, still rigged with curiosity about his issues, and I pretty much hated to see him, practically suffering.

“Come on, Mykan!” Krysta called to me snapping me out of my trance, and I ran after the others.

“In here…” DD called as she and the crusaders led us into the bedroom. Applejack’s sticky boot caught something lying on the floor. 

The girls remembered the candle holder on the wall and the large mirror near it. “What are you doing?” I asked.

“Trust us.” said Applebloom, and she pulled on the holder which activated the mirror. “It’s another transport portal.” said Krysta.

“LET’S GO!!” shouted the crusaders, and they practically yanked us all by our arms into the portal.

*POV Ends*

Pony Mykan finally made it to his feet, but just sagged to his knees clasping his head in woe, frustration, and shame. Now even more had discovered the ways to get into his home, which he felt now placed him in even greater danger than before.

*Mykan’s POV*

We appeared outside, not at our original location but rather outside at the foot of the haunted mountain by New White Tail Woods, near the village.

“Is everyone alright?” asked Applejack.

Everyone was fine, but I took a moment to gaze back up at the mountain, still feeling so strange having met my actual pony counterpart, but frightened and baffled by his psychotic attitude as well.

The crusaders were just as relieved to be out, but also as amazed to find out that that pony was my counterpart. “I don’t get it?” said Scootaloo “If he’s supposed to be you, why is he so… so… freaky?”

“It’s a complicated thing for you to understand.” I said “Right now we should really get back to New Canterlot.”

The others agreed, and now that we were out of the house, outside the force-field, my teleporter and Krysta’s magic were working again and we teleported away.

*POV Ends*

Little did they all realize that they had been seen and heard, by a pony out on a casual stroll through the woods. He had seen them materialize and heard their every word, and he looked up at the mountain through the trees. “I must tell Mayor Windy Bag.”

So he did, and Windy Bag was most intrigued, “You’re sure about this?”

“I’m positive; I heard them in their exact words.”

“Thank you, you may go now.”

The pony left as he was told, and Windy Bag looked out her office window at the mountain in the distance. “So, that’s where you’ve been hiding all this time.” she began to twiddle her fingers while thinking sinisterly, “Looks like I’ll be able to get two things I want now. Goodbye to Starfleet, and something else I am owed!”

*Mykan’s POV*

The second we got back to New Canterlot, we informed Lightning of everything we had been through.

“So that’s how you get into the house.” he said and he and Starla practically demanded that we show them the portal we found by the rock. However, the rock wouldn’t press down anymore, and the portal was scanned for, but there were no energy readings.

“Are you sure this is the spot?” asked Starla.

“Positive.” said DD “I don’t get it, it was here.”

The other concurred, and this lead us to believe only one thing, “Somehow, Mykan must’ve de-spelled it, or moved it to another location.” suggested Rainbow.

I felt a small shiver crawl down my spine.

“You okay?” Krysta asked me, “I’m fine…” I answered “It’s just saying my own name like that makes me feel a bit awkward.”

The others sort of understood my feelings, it was hard for them to shake it off themselves.

Just then, Applebloom noticed "Hey, sis, what's that on your boot?"

Applejack looked down and saw a small torn paper stuck to her boot, from the old ketchup of the sandwich she stepped on in the house. She tore it off and looked at it, "This looks like it's from a magazine."

Lightning took it, and while the picture was blurry from age fading, and covering a little ketchup from the sandwhich, he could defiantly make out one of the two ponies in the picture. "Hey, that looks like Mykan at a younger age." Starla said.

The crusaders recognized the picture as well as the same one they had seen before. "We think that other pony in the picture is related to him." said Sweetie.

"Maybe... his mother?" added Scootaloo.

Lightning decided to take the scrap for further analysis, "Regardless of all this, I'm still leaving the order not to go near the mountain in effect. From now on, if any of you see or hear of anything that could help us get back up there, you tell me at once, okay?”

Everyone agreed.

Meanwhile, Spike and Rarity met up with Fluttershy and Rhymey, and they were just standing there with shocked expressions on their faces, “What’s up with you two?” asked Spike.

Rhymey and Fluttershy didn’t answer, but they both pointed straight ahead, and Spike and Rarity froze on the spot, “Is Buddy Rose, actually talking with Tree Hugger?” Rarity asked “Somebody pinch me!”

No one pinched her, and nobody had to. Buddy Rose was actually standing on a siding with Tree Hugger, and actually talking with her as they both looked out over the wide open spaces beyond the village.

“That’s why I’ve been avoiding you. You’ve just been coming on a little too strong, and it’s been creeping me out.”

Tree looked down a bit.

“I’m not trying to hurt you or anything.”

“Nah, I can totally dig it…” said Tree “Maybe I have been a bit too obsessive, I can see why you’d be a bit put off.”

Buddy Rose sighed in relief, “Tree Hugger, Fluttershy and Rhymey told me everything, about your folks and your wish and all that.”

Tree gawked at him with slight shock.

“Just tell me; why would you pick me? You hardly know anything personal about me.”

Tree closed her eyes, and her tail gave a small flick, “Because, I’ve met a lot different creatures, but Fluttershy and Rhymey have told me a lot about you.”

“Huh?”

“I how you lost your parents and your sister, and yet you struggle to stay cool and calm about it to look after your cousin, and when I saw you teach those meanies a lesson to respect the vibe of nature. I could feel the aura around me flowing, and your charka on the same level as mine; like two separate waterfalls flowing into the same stream of life.”

Buddy Rose had never heard such deepness, such honesty.

“I know way more about you than you think, and I know you are totally the one for me.”

She hugged him from behind, making him feel very nervous, “Um… hey…”

“I’ll try to lower the obsession a skosh or two, but I am so not giving up. I'm going do all I can to prove myself until you marry me.

I’m speaking from the heart and the soul. It doesn’t get groovier than that.”

Buddy felt his temperature rising fast.

She let him go, “Just think about it, ‘K? I’ll catch you on the flipside.” then she walked off leaving Buddy feeling very warm and nervous as he watched her walk off until she had gone off with her hippie friends.

Buddy Rose felt his head as he turned back to gaze out at the wide open spaces… and his lips curled into a soft smile.

The others saw that, and all four of them began to think maybe he was starting to see the brighter side of this, but only time would tell.

(Promo)