Out of the Frying Pan

by AnnonyMouse


Chapter 1

Author: Annonymouse
MLP:FiM is property of Hasbro. This is a free fan-fiction, not to be sold or traded for any money, goods or services.
...
A/N: No comments on spelling or grammar please. See my profile for details.
...
Terra Harmony is back... and her presence brings anything BUT harmony... again.
...
Out of the Frying Pan
01
...
Terra Harmony, middle sister too the Princesses. She didn't consider herself a Princess for a number of reasons.

One. She had long ago betrayed her sisters by siding with Discord, but had paid a heavy price. Over 3,000 years of imprisonment.

Two. Upon gaining her freedom, she had caused strife to innocent ponies, the representatives of her Elements no less.

Three. She was no Alicorn. Sure, Terra stood nearly as tall as Celestia, with a slightly more muscular build, but that meant nothing to the 'Regent of the World'. That didn't matter to her.

And four... she was quite insane. Lucid most of the time, but still quite insane. Terra was getting better at controlling her madness, but it slipped out from time to time.

The new island off the east coast of Equestria was a clear sign. It was quite a twisted and dangerous place, much like the Everfree Forest. Hey, she had to release some of her pent up insanity somehow, right?

And right now was one of her nice and lucid moment. Good thing too, because she was walking into Ponyville. Most of the ponies in town did not know what to think of this tall, beautiful Earth Pony with the smoky diamond horn, but they simply smiled and nodded politely when they crossed paths.

“Such a lovely town.” Terra said to herself, her voice rich and smooth, befitting her tall stature.

The tall mare approached the one place she knew she would find a friend, the Library, and home of Twilight Sparkle. She tapped lightly on the door and waited.

“Coming. Just a moment please.” CRASH! THUD! “OW! Spike. Watch where you put those books please.”

“Sorry Twi. I'm still cleaning up after your study binge last night.” Spike's childish voice sounded.

The door then opened and a delighted looking Twilight came into view. “Terra? It's so good to see you again. Come in, just watch out for the mess. I kinda went overboard these last few days.”

Terra simply smiled and entered the library.

Indeed the place looked like Hurricane Twilight had struck.

“I assume Spike was in Canterlot again for a few days?” Terra chuckled lightly.

Twilight grinned. “Yea... You know what I can get like.” She said as she levitated a stack of books to the side. “I have some new tea that Spike brought back with him. It's a honey spice tea.”

“A cup of tea would be wonderful.” Terra said, following Twilight to the second floor and into the small kitchen. She was greeted by the sight of a stack of take out containers on the counter, and a few dirty dishes.

“Oh...” Twilight grinned sheepishly. “I'll get this all cleaned up right away. Then I'll make the tea.”

“How about I help out.” Terra's horn glowed and created a pinpoint singularity that sucked in all the containers. In a flash, they were all gone. “I hope that helped.”

“What did you do?”

“Created a point of infinite gravity that crushed all those containers into a speck of dust, which I teleported to the nearest workshop of mine. Don't want it getting out of hoof and sucking in all of Ponyville.”

Twilight's jaw hung loose. “You can do that?”

“Yes. It's pretty easy. I'll just decompress them when I get back later.” Terra gave Twilight a smirk. “I see you're still wearing those earrings I gave you.”

“Yea, I really like them.” Twilight really did like the enchanted jewelry, especially since it looked so nice.

Terra then tended to the dishes. “I'm glad to hear that. Now, you go make that tea. It sounds wonderful.”

Twilight nodded and got to work. “I see you're getting the hang of using magic.”

“Floating is basic. Anypony can learn how to do it. Oh yes, how is Scootaloo doing?”

Twilight beamed. “She's become a student of mine. Well, kinda at least. Rainbow Dash is really impressed that she can levitate objects and her own flying lessons are going pretty well too. Scoots really loves those wings.”

“Well, she is a Pegasai. They just have to channel their magic from the air into their hearts, then out of their wings.”

“I've been wondering about that actually. Scootaloo can do it, but her Mom can't.”

“Well, Rainbow Dash IS an odd one. That, and Scootaloo is using those Orihalcon wings I created for her. She also learned a lot from her time within the Seventh Element.” Terra placed the last of the now clean dishes onto the drying rack.

Twilight finished brewing the tea at that point. “I guess, Scootaloo has been through a lot, and she's gained a lot from that adventure too. Hmm... I love how this tea smells.”

“You and me both.” The tall pony accepted a cup and sipped it. “Very nice. Sweet with a hint of spices.” Terra then set down the cup and pulled something from her saddlebags. “Now, speaking of using magic...”

Twilight hadn't even noticed the bags till now. They were the same color as Terra's coat. “What's that?”

“A new book for Pinkie Pie and Applejack. I finished writing it just recently.” She set the book on the table.

Twilight whistled. The book's cover was made from a white stone, and the pages from some paper thin metal. The cover was decorated with many beautiful gems. Three rubies, two yellow topaz and one blue sapphire. “Wow. How long did it take to just make that book?”

“Oh, a few hours. The writing took me weeks though. I had to make sure it was written in modern Equestrian, not Ancient Ponian.”

“I've been studying that language. It's very... odd.”

“Mostly pictographs. It is the first written language... and Pinkie Pie is at the front door.”

“She is?”

Knock knock knock.

“I guess she is.” Twilight laughed and headed to get the door. “One moment Pinkie Pie.” She grinned a moment before opening the door.

“Ooh, how'd you know it was me?” Pinkie's bright blue eyes sparkled with joy. “I bet you learned a new spell, didn't you? Or maybe you developed your own Twi sense like my Pinkie sense.”

Twilight giggled. “As a matter of fact, I did learn a new spell, but it's not a 'Guess who's behind the door' spell.” Twilight smirked. “I do, however, have some company. She's in the kitchen.”

Wink.

Twilight rolled her eyes and chuckled. Pinkie Pie LOVED that magical power, that and floating things. She was now able to set up parties in under half the time she used to take. She walked through the slowly organizing library, floating about thirty books into their proper place on the shelves. Spike was just sorting the books into piles, and Twilight was putting the stack onto the shelves.

“Are you almost done Spike?”

“Yea, I think so.” He wiped his brow. “Three days and you nearly destroy any sense of organization this place has. How DO you do it...”

Twilight grinned a little. “Magic?” She then shook her head. “Lady Terra and Pinkie Pie are in the kitchen. I can't leave them alone.”

“Pinkie is here?” Spike leaned out from behind a stack of books and spotted the pink pony talking energetically to the much larger gray pony. “Oh... Well, that's cool. Just... don't let Terra see me. Last time she saw me she promised she's defend herself with some new artifact she created... something to do with turning boy dragons into girl dragons.”

Twilight giggled at the concept. “How about you go take a break. Don't you usually help Rarity out about this time of the day?”

“Really? Oh thank you.” Spike shot from the library, hoping to avoid Terra and keeping his boyhood intact.

Twilight watched him leave and closed the front door with her magic. She then entered the kitchen to the following scene.

Pinkie Pie looked to be shoving a rather large cake down Terra's throat... while keeping it in one piece with her magic.

“Wha... How...” Twilight blinked. It had only been seconds since she had last looked, and this had NOT been happening.

“Terra said she's love to try one of my new cakes, and she said she was so hungry she could probably eat a whole one in one bite.”

GULP.

“Hmm, not bad at all Pinkie.” Terra grinned widely. Not a crumb or drop of icing could be seen on her face.

Twilight's jaw hit the floor. She didn't know how that was possible, or where the cake had come from for that matter.

“Aww, Twi, you distracted me. I wanted to see Terra do it. Even I can't swallow a cake whole without making a mess.” She frowned a little. “And believe me, I've tried...”

Twilight picked her jaw up and closed her mouth, a light chuckle escaping her lips. “Yea, it takes you two bites, but you're not even half Terra's size.”

They talked for a few minutes about cakes and how Twilight had never actually finished eating a whole one yet. Finally, Terra remembered why she had come.

“Oh, how forgetful of me.” She slid the book from the other side of the table. “Pinkie Pie. This is a special book about Earth Pony magic. Applejack and yourself should be able to learn some things from this.”

“Really? All I can do is make things float and wink, which is great for setting up parties and eating fast and playing pranks and especially for setting up parties. But I love winking. It's so much fun.”

Twilight had to agree, but because she couldn't simply draw the magic from the earth, she had a limited (if not VAST) amount, and winking tended to take a fair bit out of her. But then, while Pinkie could draw the magic quickly, she couldn't channel large amounts to perform any large effects. Applejack drew her magic a lot slower, but was able to create larger effects, like lifting and moving large boulders, uprooting dead trees, and even effecting repairs to the barn and house without stepping hoof off the ground. She rarely used her teleporting magic.

“So what other kinds of magic can I learn to do?” She looked at he first page. “Boulder busting?”

“That's for Applejack.” Terra pointed at the apple shaped mark in the top corner. “You potential magics are in the next chapter, and the third is about spells you can both learn, including floating and winking which you both seem to have mastered.”

“Oh sweet. I'll go get Applejack right now.” With that, Pinkie Pie closed her eye and concentrated, her tongue sticking out the side of her mouth.

Her sudden long ranged wink nearly created a small vacuum effect as she vanished.

Terra's eyes went wide. “She just winked all the way across town and to the orchard...”

Twilight cringed. “I hope she didn't end up in a tree or the wall again...”

“In the wall?” Terra laughed. “I've done that myself more than once. I personally prefer portals. They're safer for long range travel.”

Twilight nodded, then paused. “Portals?”

“But of course. I installed one from my workshop at the center of the world and the other side is in the crystalline caverns beneath Canterlot Castle. Used to take me a week to just travel one way.”

“Is... is there any way I could get one installed in the library basement? It would make traveling to Canterlot so much faster. Spike wouldn't have to travel by chariot anymore. He says he's going to hate heights till his wings grow in.”

“You don't have a crystalline cavern below the library. I could make one, but I'd most likely level half the town in the process. Oh well, when would you like me to start?”

“Start? Level Ponyville?” Twilight's eyes went wide at that news, then changed to a slight frown. “No, no leveling Ponyville. The ponies were not very happy last time I destroyed the town.” She recalled her mess up with the Parasprites. She was just glad that everypony had 'somehow' had Parasprites eating your homes included on their insurance.

“I heard about that from Tia. She was just glad that nopony was hurt.” She finished off her tea. “How about we go visit the others... And I promise not to turn Spike into a girl dragon... permanently.

Twilight nodded, the paused. “You'd really do that to Spike? Don't you pick on him enough as it is?”

“I think a week would be long enough to teach that scaly critter to keep a safe distance from me. What? Don't look at me like that. That last incident where I made gems taste bad for him was a one day thing.”

Twilight sighed. (Why do I even bother...) “Let's go visit Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash. Spike is currently helping out Rarity.”

...

Applejack looked up into the tree, a mix of amusement and confusion. “Pinkie Pie? What the hay are ya doin' up in mah apple tree?”
“Everything is spinning... Weee... URP.”

“Ah no ya don't.” She bucked the tree, knocking Pinkie to the ground. “Ya'll not gettin' sick in mah trees.”

“Sorry...” Pinky lay down and closed her eyes. “I winked all the way from Twilight's.”

“Now why would ya go an' do somethin' like that?”

“Terra came, and she has a book with Earth Pony magic in it. She wants to teach us.”

Applejack's eyes lit up. “Now that's an apple Ah can sink mah teeth into. Let's go.”

“Can we wait a couple minutes till everything isn't wobbly and spiny and topsy turvy?”

Applejack sighed. “Fine. Just don't take too long. Last time she was here, she said she was gonna teach me how to bust up boulders with Earth Pony magic. Ah'd really like to clear out the west field an start planing new trees.”

Pinkie Pie stood up and wobbled a bit. “All good. Let's go.” She grinned and trotted off.

“Ponyville's this way.” Applejack couldn't help but laugh at her slightly dizzy friend. “Race ya, no winking though. Looser pays for ice cream.”

“You're on. GO!”

“Hey, wait up a sec.” AJ took off after the pink streak. (Golly she's so fast...)

...

Fluttershy was equally delighted to see Terra when the Earth Pony and Twilight walked toward her cute tree cottage.

“Terra. It's been months since you last visited. I hope you're doing well.”

Terra nuzzled Fluttershy. “I am well, and your animal friends look like they are doing very well.” She tapped her hoof on the ground and some fresh clover sprung forth around Fluttershy.

A few bunnies hopped over and snuggled up too the gentle Pegasus and started nibbling away at the pretty pink and purple blossoms.

Fluttershy smiled. “Oh that was wonderful.”

“I can make an artifact that can let you do much the same thing, that is, if you'd like.” She imitated Fluttershy's soft tone for that last line.

“I couldn't ask you to make something like that for me. I wouldn't know what to do with it...”

Terra smirked. “That and you'd become obsessed with trying to find some four leaf clovers?”

“Um, yes...” Fluttershy blushed, and even now was glancing about the clover around her for said leaf.

“There's one right in front of your left hoof.” Terra winked and a perfect four leaf clover sprouted.

Fluttershy spotted it and squealed with glee. She carefully plucked it and excused herself for a moment. She literally scampered back into her cottage to add this new one to her small collection of pressed four leaf clovers.

“That was really sweet of you Lady Terra.” Twilight was fond of this powerful Earth Pony. The creator of the whole world of Equestria, and of the Earth Ponies as well, of which two were her best friends.

“Do you really think so? I could turn every clover into a four leaf clover with just a thought.” She grinned jokingly. “I'd never do that. It would be a very drastic alteration of how nature works.” Her grin softened to a smile as Fluttershy returned. “Fluttershy, Twilight, let's go visit Rainbow Dash and Scootaloo.”

...

“Mom, watch this.” Scootaloo called out to her adopted mother and dove toward the ground, building speed.

Her wings started glowing, leaving a spray of rainbow colored sparkles. Her speed suddenly increased, and Dash gasped as Scootaloo broke the sound barrier. Pride was all she could feel. She then dove toward the expanding rainbow light and created another rainbow explosion.

She caught up to her adopted daughter and hugged her. “You pulled off the Sonic Rainboom. I'm so proud of you.”

“Yea, I did it.” Scootaloo watched the double ring of beautiful lights faded. “I did it for you because I love you.”

“I love you too Scoots. What say we go and get some ice cream to celebrate?”

“Really?”

“Really really.” Dash grinned and took off.

“Wait for me Mom!” Scootaloo streaked off behind Dash.

...

Terra dropped to her haunches, looking up into the sky at the double right of rainbow light. “That... was awesome...”

Twilight was staring as well. “A double Rainboom? Did Rainbow Dash break the speed of... wait, what's faster than the speed of sound? Double the speed of sound?”

“A lot of things are faster than sound.” The Regent smiled. “And that was a double Sonic Rainboom because both Rainbow Dash and Scootaloo created it.”

“Wow.” Fluttershy's eyes were sparkling. “Scootaloo really is a great flier, just like her Mom.”

Twilight had to agree. “Oh, they're flying toward Ponyville. Let's see if we can catch them.”

“One moment, I need to check on my egg.” Fluttershy slipped back into her cottage for a few moments.

Twilight was still confused. “Um, Terra? You don't like dragons... but you gave Fluttershy a dragon egg...”

“Fairy Dragon egg.” Terra corrected. “One of my first creations. They helped me with the creation of Eden. There's only a few left, and they are all sleeping inside their eggs right now. Also, when they are full grown, they're still smaller than Spike and only need sunlight and water to live.”

“So... where did Dragons come from anyway?”

“Another world. I don't know. All I do know is, they're not native to Eden, and none of us who dwell here created them.” Terra smiled again as Fluttershy emerged from the cottage and closed the door.

“The egg is nice and safe and warm. I hope it hatches soon.”

Terra nuzzled Fluttershy's cheek. “They can take up too five years to hatch. You'll just have to show it love till it does, and then you'll have a friend forever. She'll love you as much as you love her. Now... I have a hankering for some ice cream.”

“But... you just swallowed a whole cake...” Twilight could not understand how anypony could eat so much (especially Pinkie Pie), and not get fat.

“Yes, that was a tasty little snack. Personally, I do prefer gems, but that's just personal taste.” Terra grinned and trotted toward town.

...

Deep beneath the earth, a massive stone that sealed a small doorway shifted. An opening large enough for the large pony inside to squeeze through.

“F...ree... Free... Free at.. Last...” She rose to her hooves, her body thin and covered by wrinkles. Her mane and tail long, thin, wispy and white with advanced age. A pair of pure white eyes scanned the dark passage a moment before a pale sandy yellow crystal horn lit up.

“I can feel you... You've been busy these last months... But I am now free from your prison. This slave will get her revenge... and your immortality.” She closed her eyes and concentrated. “I must find you... You will be punished for your cruelty. Terra Discord.”

Shale Nova grinned as she felt something. “Soon, I'll find you and become young, and you can become old and decrepit.”

Evil hacking laughter echoed through the ancient stone and gem passages.

...

Walking side by side, Rarity and Spike walked through Ponyville.

“Spike, thank you so much for assisting me today. I would have been lost without you.”

“Aww, you don't have to thank me, but I do appreciate it.” He pointed. “There, the new ice cream parlor. Double Scoop Parlor.”

“I wonder if Pinkie knows about this place yet.” She admired the cute design of the place. A large bowl with a large double scoop of strawberry and vanilla ice cream with whipped cream and a cherry on top, with sprinkles.

“She's the one who told me about it.” Spike laughed.

Rarity smiled. “Well, maybe we'll run into her. I do hope they have low fat ice cream...”

The pair entered and were greeted to the sight of all their friends sitting around a large booth.

Spike would have rushed over and joined them, but the sight of Terra sitting there, her back to door, made him cringe. “Ah... sorry... I think I'll be...”

“Spike, get your scaly backside over here.” Terra commanded in her rich voice.

“Eep...”

Rarity rolled her eyes and levitated the dragon, carrying him beside her as she approached the table. “Lady Terra, a pleasure to see you once again.”

“The pleasure is mine Lady Rarity.” Terra smiled sweetly, then turned a hard, cold glare at Spike. “You, sit. Have your ice cream, and no thinking about chewing on me.”

Spike was plopped down next to Twilight. He was sweating profusely. “Y... Yes ma'am...” (So much for not getting turned into a girl dragon...)

“This is neutral ground.” Terra warned Spike. “Your guardian had requested that. Do you agree?”

“Yes.” Spike squeaked. “So... no turning me into a girl dragon?”

“You are safe...” Her eyes narrowed dangerously.

“Soooo.” Pinkie Pie beamed. “I'll have the super extra large ultimate jumbo ice cream sundae surprise.”

Trust Pinkie Pie to break the ice.

...

“I found you Terra Discord.” A dark grin crossed the pale, off white face. “Now that I am out of that hole, I can gate to you. And then, your true immortality will be mine, not like this slow, agonizing death you've given me.” She started gathering magic from the world. A large amount would be needed to teleport the distance she would have to go.

...

They had all enjoyed their ice cream very much, with Terra having only barely beaten Pinkie Pie in an ice cream eating contest. The small group was now heading out of the town at Terra's request.

Twilight, Applejack and Pinkie Pie knew the reason, but the other five didn't.

Rainbow Dash, her daughter, Scootaloo, Rarity, Fluttershy and Spike followed along.

“Dashie dear, have you any idea why we are heading to the old rock quarry?” Rarity frowned distastefully.

“Don't ask me.” Dash shrugged as she walked along. “I'm as clueless as everypony else.”

Scoots' ears twitched. “I think they're talking about Earth Pony magic.” The airborne filly stared on.

“Good hearing.” Dash grinned.

Fluttershy just followed along behind, with Spike riding on her back (not that she minded. Rather, she enjoyed Spike's presence. A talking baby dragon was not something you ever really got to befriend very often after all).

“Here we are.” Terra grinned and shaped a stone into a very fancy and ornate podium in seconds. She then levitated the book she had brought with her and set it down. “Applejack, open to the first page.”

Applejack used her magic to easily open the book. “Boulder Breaker” She read the title. “Pinkie told me 'bout this spell already. Ah can really try learnin' it?”

“Read the instructions very carefully. I tailored this spell just for you. Sorry Pinkie, but you wouldn't be able to master this with how you gather and focus your magic.”

“That's ok. I don't think I'd know what to do with a magic like that.” Pinkie beamed.

Applejack read the instructions on how to focus her magic into her front hooves and how to release it into the stone she would be striking.

“Ah think Ah got it.”

“Then try it on that boulder over there.”

“That one that looks like a geod?” Applejack grinned. She recognized that style of stone from all the times Rarity's horn and talent had dragged her to them.

Rarity nodded vigorously. “That is indeed a geod. Not the biggest, but still.”

“Well, here goes.” Applejack spread her legs out and concentrated, slowly gathering the magic from the ground. She gathered it into her belly, then focused it through to her forehooves. She reared up and brought them both down, full force onto the stone.

The tremendous explosion knocked all but Terra flying.

“Oops... I guess the spell didn't need you to gather that much magic.” She grinned and started toward the half buried Earth Pony. She floated the rocks off Applejack and frowned. “You ok sweetheart?”

“Ah'm fine?” She asked. “That hurt.”

Terra looked at the crater where the geod had been, then back at Applejack. “You are lucky the spell took into account there being an explosion, automatically deflecting the blast mostly away from you.”

“Coulda warned me ya know...” Applejack staggered to her hooves. “That gonna happen every time Ah try that spell?”

“With practice, you should be able to break boulders without nearly blowing everypony up.” Terra grinned and glanced at the others.

They were scattered around in disarray, all except Scootaloo, who had shielded herself with her wings.

“Is everypony alright?”

“I need a bath...” Rarity whimpered as she rose from the ground, covered in dirt and dust.

“I'm fine...” Twilight sat up and stared at the crater. “Oh wow... That was impressive.”

“That was AWESOME.” Mother and Daughter (Dash and Scoots) called out at the same time.

“Wow, and I thought some of my parties were a blast.” Pinkie Pie giggled cutely.

“My scales are plenty tough.” Spice chuckled.

Fluttershy simply nodded, her mane and wings just a little ruffled.

Terra let out a sigh of relief. “I'm glad to hear that.” She looked at he crater again. “Maybe this wasn't as good an idea as I thought.”

“Nah, it's a good idea.” Applejack replied. “Ah just need to tone down on the magic... a lot.”

Terra was about to respond, but the ground started rumbling. “What's going on? This ground is stable...” She closed her eyes and reached out with her senses and magic. “Oh dear...”

The ground, a little ways away, suddenly exploded, the shock wave pushing everypony and dragon back.

All eyes turned to the source of the blast.

An Earth Pony, even larger than Terra, stood before them. She was old, very old. Her mane and tail dragged on the ground, and were white and thin. Her pale sand colored coat was wrinkled, as were her wrinkles. Her eyes were white, making her look blind.

“I have found you.” Her voice cracked. “Terra Discord, I am here for revenge on enslaving me and imprisoning me for over four thousand years.

“And... you are?” Terra tilted her head slightly.

“Shale Nova. You cannot seriously have forgotten me.”

Terra blinked. “Shale? Why are you... old? I created you with immortality so you could assist me in one of my workshops.”

“You enslaved me. Cursed me to live forever, yet I still age. You imprisoned me in that hell hole and sealed it with that thousand ton slab of stone. You cursed the place so I could never teleport out.” Shale Nova weakly stepped forward, her topaz horn flickering with power. “I'm here to get my revenge.”

From a small satchel at Shale's side emerged a blue metal disk. In the center of the disk was a large, smooth, clear black gem.

“What is that?” Terra raised an eye. “That looks like...” She looked down at the amulet she wore. “You're kidding, right? My soul cannot be contained again. You can't steal my body.”

“Why would I want your tiny body?” Shale laughed. “I will take all your immortality. You will age and become old and decrepit. I will become young forever.” She pointed the gem toward Terra. “Now... Time for revenge.” She stepped forward, grinning evilly.

Then Shale Nova tripped...

...

To Be Continued...