A minor variation

by notMurphy


Omake: For want of Karaoke

[This chapter is cannon-optional]

[Ok my little bronies, pegasisters, and seeponies I'm trying something different today. PMV of the Mind's Eye.
Feel free to skip this chapter if that doesn't appeal to you. You won't miss any important plot points,
I want to add something to the experience, not bore you. Also, this chapter is not guaranteed kid friendly.
Ok, still there? You have a computer with an internet connection, yes? Let's do this.
The following songs were at least part of what was going on in my head when I wrote the 'Rider' sub-chapters.]
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[Find your favorite copy of 'You Can't Always Get What You Want' by the Rolling Stones, or any lyric faithful cover, and start the track when the text says the music starts, then follow along. The left side is the in-world lyrics, the right side are some images that are story events, what the singer is thinking about, or aesthetic.]

Dianne Pie gently picked up the microphone, closing her eyes. The music started...

I saw her today at the reception
Rarity at a party / Rosie Posey in a coffin
A glass of wine in her hand
Posey and Dianne making an herbal potion
I knew she was gonna meet her connection
Rarity sees Blueblood to her left and moves right in a hurry
At her feet was her footloose man
Spike dances under a lampshade / Big Mac digs a hole

You can't always get what you want
Dianne glances at a bush in Everfree
You can't always get what you want
Zecora Jumps out of it, startling her
You can't always get what you want
Filly Pinkamina enters family living room...
But if you try sometimes you might find
Her mother, already present, crosses her forehooves
You get what you need
Filly Pinkamina trots up to Cottage

And I went down to the demonstration
Trotting down Ponyville street...
To get my fair share of abuse
Windows and doors slam closed...
Singing, "We're gonna vent our frustration
A crowd points at Dianne angrily...
If we don't we're gonna blow a fuse"
...past her to Zecora
Sing it to me now...
...Dianne trots away from crowd towards Zecora...
...Crowd members look at each other confusedly.
You can't always get what you want
...The two trot back to Zecora's cottage
You can't always get what you want
...trot inside
You can't always get what you want
...Dianne examines a book as Zecora grabs a flower
But if you try sometimes well you just might find
...they mix a potion
You get what you need
Dianne delivers a potion to Granny Smith
Oh baby, yeah, yeah!
In Sweet Apple Orchard, Twilight does in air gasp at Dianne

I came back from the Everfree Forest,
Trotting away from forest
To get your prescription filled
a few leaves hang out of stuffed saddlebags
I was standing in line with Captain Sprinkles
in front of Sugarcube corner, Pegasus flies down
And man, did he look pretty ill
Weather Captain Sprinkles glares at Pinkamina
We decided that we would have a soda
Dianne pulls out a can of soda...
My favorite flavor, cherry red
... shakingly hands it to Weather Captain
I sung my song to Captain Sprinkles
... and it sprays all over his face.
Yeah, and he said one word to me, and that was "dead"
...that scene from 'Cupcakes' (ugh, sorry)
I said to him
...Dianne has a handkerchief, using it on the Captain

You can't always get what you want, no!
Dianne looks in an empty chicken coop
You can't always get what you want
...looks down an empty burrow
You can't always get what you want (no)
...sits down, teary
But if you try sometimes you just might find
...sees animals surrounding her
You get what you need
...and is covered in woodland creatures, smiling
Oh yes! Woo!
Dianne bandages a boar

You get what you need--yeah, oh baby!
Dianne pulls a bandage from her saddlebags...
Oh yeah!
...and places it on colt's skinned knee

I saw her today at the reception
Princess Celestia greeting guests at G.G.Gala
In her glass was a bleeding mare
Nightmare Moon screams as she's enveloped by Rainbow Beam
She was practiced at the art of deception
Princess Celestia sips tea
Well I could tell by her blood-stained hooves
Everfree Palace, Luna apologizes to Celestia

You can't always get what you want
Filly Pinkamina points her hoof
You can't always get what you want
Adult Dianne shakes her head, no
You can't always get what you want
Dianne enters Everfree forest with Mane Six
But if you try sometimes you just might find
A wild manticore appears!
You just might find
Dianne stops the party...
You get what you need
...and pulls out a huge pair of tweezers

You can't always get what you want
Adult Dianne pushes rocks with her head
You can't always get what you want
Filly Pinkamina tries to tie a splint for a bemused Bonbon (failing)
You can't always get what you want
Pinky Pie holds a bag upside down, nothing comes out
But if you try sometimes you just might find
Dianne walking through town, nopony to be seen...
You just might find
...looks around a corner, starts smiling
You get what you need, ah yes...
Mane six assemble in front of library

*******

The three fillies held the chorus notes a little longer than needed. Clomping, the Mane Six cheered as Dianne approached them. "That'll do, Miss Dianne, that'll do." the Orange one drawled.

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[The experiment continues. 'Hero' by Nickleback]

On the second try Fluttershy managed to grasp the microphone. Her wings flapped out twice to keep her balance. Eyes snapped open as the music started...

I am so high, I can hear heaven
'The Race' starts
I am so high, I can hear heaven.
Fluttershy is knocked off her cloud
Whoa but heaven... No heaven don't hear me
Begins falling

And they say that a hero can save us
'The Storm' in front of the Everfree Forest
I'm not gonna stand here and wait
Fluttershy barking orders
I'll hold onto the wings of the eagles
The Weather Team takes formation
Watch as we all fly away
Omega Flight breaks formation at end of a training session

Someone told me love will all save us
Pinkamina holds up Angel
But how can that be, look what love gave us
The Cloudboom races across the sky
A world full of killing, and blood-spilling
Angry crowd in front of a cottage, pink pony glances from window
That world never came
Ponyville Meeting Hall, sun refuses to rise

And they say that a hero can save us
Storm, Fluttershy swats Turner to run off with Able
I'm not gonna stand here and wait
young Fluttershy grabs Weather Captain's head
I'll hold onto the wings of the eagles
Filly Fluttershy trips over cloud ring
Watch as we all fly away
Adult Fluttershy performs a horizontal corkscrew

Now that the world isnt ending,
Skies clear
Its love that I'm sending to you
Group Photo of Omega Flight
It isn't the love of a hero,
Group Photo of Mane Six
And that's why I fear it won't do
Fluttershy, on a cloud, watches Rainbow Dash on the ground, running.

And they say that a hero can save us
Rarity falls off a cliff...
Im not gonna stand here and wait
...Fluttershy catches her
I'll hold onto the wings of the eagles
Fluttershy bucks a Shadowbolt, it turns into clouds
Watch as we all fly away
Pony Sister's abandoned palace, sun starts to rise

And they're watching us
Thunderball
(Watching Us)
Thunderball with a Mare...
And they're watching us
...and an earth pony foal, light gray
(Watching Us)
Young Snowflake
Watch as we all fly away
Adult Snowflake

And they're watching us
Derpy
(Watching Us)
Derpy and Dinky...
And they're watching us
... plus sparkler...
(Watching Us)
... next to Carrot Top, Berry Punch & Berry Pinch
Watch as we all fly away
Dorothy Gale, soaring after a hot air balloon
And they're watching us
Sea Foam on a Beach at sunset, watching the waves
(Watching Us)
Tim Turner
And they're watching us
Doctor Hooves
(Watching Us)
Differently Able in a wheelchair, distant figures flying
Watch as we all fly away
Brown earth pony (distant) watches Derpy fly

******

The applause quickly died down when she fluttered her wings once. "Th-thank you, everyone. I think I needed that." Her outward projection of calm was put to a lie by the furious blush on her face.

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[If'n you don't find the Man in Black to your tastes, just mosey on down to that starry line.
For the rest of you, the song is 'I've been Everywhere (man)' I suggest Johnny Cash, but any singer will do.]

Pulling back her stetson, the orange and blonde pony picked up the guitar resting next to her stool, glanced casually at the assmbly and began to play...

I was totin' my pack along the dusty Whinnie-mucca road,
Filly Jackie packs and leaves the farm
When along came a cart with a high an' canvas-covered load.
Older Filly sneaks out of Manehattan apartment
"If you're goin' to Whinnie-mucca, Mack, with me you can ride."
Packing in Manehattan apartment
And so I climbed into the cab and then I settled down inside.
Joins Vinyl Octave Overdrive roadie crew in a cart
He asked me if I'd seen a road with so much dust and sand.
Surveying future site of Appleloosa
And I said, "Listen, I've traveled every road in this here land!"
Forehead to forehead with Twilight

I've been everywhere, pony.
Running across a green meadow
I've been everywhere, brony.
Dodging trees in a Forest
Crossed the desert's bare, sis.
Running across scrubland
I've breathed the mountain air, miss.
Leaping off a cliff, hoof holding her hat
Of travel I've had my share, damn.
Hiding under a tarp on a ship's deck
I've been everywhere.
Hanging upside down in a cargo net, apologetic smile

I've been to:
Loading Amps and Speakers onto a stage
Reino, Clip-clopgo, Fargo, Whinniesota,
Tossing a lasso in a Rodeo
Buffalo, Trot'oronto, Whinnislow, Sarasota,
Holding a scroll and pen squinting at numbers
Twichitail, Tulsa, Trottawa, Oaklahoma,
Weeding a garden in front of a Colonial Style Manor
Stampa, Ponyma, Mare'tawa, La Palomino,
Shucking Corn with a knife
Mane'gor, Baltimare, Stal'vador, A'mare'illo,
Hauling a crate by pulley onto a steamboat
Clop-apillo, Mare'anquilla, and Pony-dilla, I'm a killer.
Bucking a Mountain Lion, Jackie looks scratched up

I've been everywhere, pony.
She staggers down a paved street
I've been everywhere, brony.
Falling off a barstool
Crossed the desert's bare, sis.
Buried to the head in sand
I've breathed the mountain air, miss.
Falling, hooves flailing
Of travel I've had my share, damn.
As part of a train hauling team
I've been everywhere.
Stopping short of the edge of a mesa

I've been to:
Standing in front of a judge in court
Boston, Charleston, Dayton, Louisiana,
Wrestling with a fiddle
Washington, Houston, Kingston, Texarkana,
Wearing a clown outfit while desperately riding an angry bull
Monterey, Faraday, Santa Fe, Tallapoosa,
Peeling potatoes
Glen Rock, Black Rock, Little Rock, Oskaloosa,
Pushing a dust broom across a marble floor
Tennessee to Tennesse Chicopee, Spirit Lake,
Baking a pie, half of the kitchen is on fire
Grand Lake, Devils Lake, Crater Lake, for Pete's sake.
Rowing a boat across a lake

I've been everywhere, pony.
Crawling into a town
I've been everywhere, brony.
running in front of a stampede, NOT in control of it
Crossed the desert's bare, sis.
Standing on the backs of racing cows, laughing
I've breathed the mountain air, miss.
Staggering with a cow on her back, cow laughing
Of travel I've had my share, damn.
A dolphin pulling her to shore
I've been everywhere.
Holding a set of cards, seated at a green felt lined table, grinning

I've been to:
Carving a block of ice, sweating
Louisville, Nashville, Knocksville, Oat-babika,
Holding a bat, at home plate, points at the sky & smirks
Shettlandville, Jacksfoalville, Waterville, Pona'Rica,
Polishing hooves on a street-corner
Pittsfield, Springfield, Bakersfield, Shreveport,
Washing a huge stack of dishes in a kitchen
Hoofensack, Coltillac, Fawn du Lac, Dapple-port,
Opens a door, sees a dalek, slams door
Potatoho, Jellico, Argentina, Diamond'tina,
Fishing off a pier
Pasadena, Cattle'lina, see what I mean-a.
Operating a trolley car, shrugs at viewer

I've been everywhere, pony.
Riding a runaway downhill cart, screaming.
I've been everywhere, brony.
Card table with three cups on it, stallion points, Jackie lifts cup, nothing
Crossed the desert's bare, sis.
Juggling on a wooden stage with red curtain backdrop.
I've breathed the mountain air, miss.
Dressed as a clown again, being sprayed with seltzer water.
Of travel I've had my share, damn.
Wearing a nice, fur-lined coat, riding a Pegasus Chariot, waves
I've been everywhere.
Sitting on a street-corner, cup held out, wearing shades

I've been to:
A saddlebag...
Ponysburgh, Parkersbuck, Gravelbourg, Colt'orado,
... starts getting travel stickers...
Ellensburg, Rexburg, Vicksburg, Eldorado,
... ends up plastered in them.
Larimore, Admore, Haverstraw, Chatanika,
Boarding a Zeppelin.
Chaska, Nebraska, Alaska, Opelika,
Eating a pastry in Prance.
Baraboo, Waterloo, Kalamazoo, Kansas City,
Roasting an apple over a campfire at night
Sioux City, Cedar City, Dodge City, what a pity.
Holding two foals under her forelegs as she leaps from...
...a burning building
I've been everywhere, pony.
Lying in a hospital bed, a leg in a cast is suspended by pulleys
I've been everywhere, brony.
Puts on a cap and holds a flashlight in her mouth
Crossed the desert's bare, sis.
Standing in a window-washer's box, washing a high-rise
I've breathed the mountain air, miss.
Chasing an eagle with her hat in it's talons, shouting angrily
Of travel I've had my share, damn.
Fleeing a raging bear.
I've been everywhere.
Talking to a pony over a map, pointing out a location

******

Only Applebloom clapped, everyone else just stared in amazement - Twilight's eyes were half closed in skepticism. Jackie snorted in amusement and did a double curtsy.

"So, you're a 'Jackie of all Trades?" Twilight asked.
"Hah, you know what, I reckon I am. I'm gonna use that in my next act."

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[Quick intro: Coldplay, 'Fix You']

Everypony had a suggestion, it seemed. She'd almost gone with ' Rainbow Connection' but... ' A frog!?, no way am I signing a song written for a frog.' Just when she had made up her mind, Fluttershy TOLD her what song she'd be singing, leaving no room for argument. 'Rassin' frassin' better remember who got her started on bad-flankery' she grumbled to salve her pride. She slammed a hoof onto the small table, launching the mirophone airborne, caught it with her wing, and let it roll into her outstretched hoof. ' Ok, that's enough, let's do this!'

When you try your best but you don't succeed
Filly Rainbow is knocked to the side during 'The Race'
When you get what you want but not what you need

When you feel so tired but you can't sleep
Laying in a hospital bed, staring at the ceiling
Stuck in reverse
Slamming her head into a school desk

And the tears come streaming down your face
Filly Power Dive Part 1
When you lose something you can't replace
Horseshoe falling through the air
When you love someone but it goes to waste
Blue Earth Pony with Pale Yellow hair, wearing a vest
Could it be worse?
Blue Pony on a music stage, seen from curtains.

Lights will guide you home
Bolt of lightning envelops Differently Able
And ignite your bones
Twilight aglow with power
And I will try to fix you
Rainbow helps Rarity out of a mud puddle

And high up above or down below
Filly Power Dive 2, Fluttershy visible
When you're too in love to let it go
Filly Dash shouting at Thunder Dash
But if you never try you'll never know
Scribbling on paper rapidly
Just what you're worth
Dash holds up Rainbow-hair Necklace for Steve Magnet, (she's bald)

Lights will guide you home
The Cloudboom wrecks the hospital room
And ignite your bones
Mane Six aglow in harmony
And I will try to fix you
Bedridden Rainbow talking to Fluttershy

Tears stream down your face
Filly Power Dive 3, ground is visible
When you lose something you cannot replace
Sonic Rainboom into a crater
Tears stream down your face
Filly Fluttershy cries, racing to the bottom
And I will try to fix you
Finds a broken Rainbow Dash

Tears stream down your face
Wearing graduation robes, parents in audience.
I promise you I will learn from my mistakes
Sketching designs for 'Pega-chute'
Tears stream down your face
Filly Power Dive 4, manages to get under Fluttershy
And I will try to fix you
In workshop, Dash moves a box and sees Scootaloo

Lights will guide you home
Mane Six return from Everfree
And ignite your bones
Dash's harmony necklace forms
And I will try to fix you
Rainboom impacts the ground

******

'Darn it all, I'm not crying, I'm NOT bucking crying!' She didn't even noticed the cheers until a butter yellow pegasus quieted everypony down. Fluttershy looked at her old friend with mixed emotions, "Now will you admit you made a difference?" 'Oh you crafty bi-' Ok, now Dash was definitely crying.

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[This time, 'The Logical Song' by Supertramp]

Three mugs of Apple Family Special Reserve cider lay discarded and empty as the purple unicorn levitated the microphone towards her, managing not to put her eye out with it. 'Ok, this is part of the whole experience, I can do this...' The music started.

When I was young, it seemed that life was so wonderful,
Filly Twi gets smartypants
a miracle, oh it was beautiful, magical.
Twilight spins her doll around in an aerial ballet
And all the birds in the trees, well they'd be singing so happily,
Twi and Shining Armor run through a park
joyfully, playfully watching me.
Her parents watch, hooves resting together
But then they send me away to teach me how to be sensible,
First Day of magic kindergarten
logical, responsible, practical.
Books piling up
And they showed me a world where I could be so dependable,
Straining to flip a page with telekinesis
clinical, intellectual, cynical.
Reading a book while walking, ignores other kids

There are times when all the world's asleep,
Twilight stargazing with telescope
the questions run too deep
Mare in the moon winks at her
for such a simple mare.
Her mane starts to tweak
Won't you please, please tell me what we've learned
Mixing chemicals, which explode
I know it sounds absurd
Rising from a bush, bird's nest on her head
but please tell me who I am.
Peering around the edge of a body-length mirror

Now watch what you say or they'll be calling you a radical,
Edges up next to Dianne, whispering sideways...
liberal, fanatical, criminal.
...Flips over and pins Dianne to the wall
Won't you sign up your name, we'd like to feel you're
She holds a scroll and a pen while smiling earnestly
acceptable, respecable, presentable, a vegtable!
Taps a hoof on the other, hair tweaking as she goes

At night, when all the world's asleep,
Walking through Sweet Apple Acres at night...
the questions run so deep
...A glowing Shining Armor races by, followed by Applebloom
for such a simple mare.
Complex magical sigils form arcane circles around her
Won't you please, please tell me what we've learned
Vertigo as the whole scene begins spinning
I know it sounds absurd
The sun rises and the other Mane six lift her up
but please tell me who I am.
... and toss her into the air.

******

There was applause. It was minor, but for a pony who never sought attention, that was a relief. In fact, she glared at the orange pony who was clomping the loudest. "What? I kin' appreciate th' message even if the delivery was... Look, y'sang it well. Ah'm not being sarcastic." 'Well, I'm going to take it as a compliment whatever you meant.'

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[Rarity requests you imagine your own images. Meredith Brooks 'Bitch'. Sorry, If this makes you uncomfortable, skip it.]

'Inhale, hold, and... exhale. Now.' Lights flipped on as the mic flew towards the ivory Unicorn as the music started.

I hate the world today
You're so good to me
I know but I can't change
Tried to tell you
But you look at me like maybe
I'm an angel underneath
Innocent and sweet
Yesterday I cried
Must have been relieved to see
The softer side
I can understand how you'd be so confused
I don't envy you
I'm a little bit of everything
All rolled into one

I'm a nag, I'm a lover
I'm a foal, I'm a mother
I'm a sinner, I'm a saint
I do not feel ashamed
I'm Pony Hell, I'm your dream
I'm nothing in between
You know you wouldn't want it any other way

So take me as I be
This may mean
You'll have to be a stronger Pony
Rest assured that
When I start to make you nervous
And I'm going to extremes
Tomorrow I will change
And today won't mean a thing

I'm a nag, I'm a lover
I'm a foal, I'm a mother
I'm a sinner, I'm a saint
I do not feel ashamed
Nightmare Moon, in your dream
I'm nothing you've ever seen
You know you wouldn't want it any other way

Just when you think, you got me figured out
The season's already changing
I think it's cool, you do what you do
And don't try to save me

I'm a nag, I'm a lover
I'm a foal, I'm a mother
I'm a sinner, I'm a saint
I do not feel ashamed
I'm Pony Hell, I'm your dream
I'm nothing in between
You know you wouldn't want it any other way

I'm a bitch, I'm a tease
Celestia on her knees
When you hurt, when you suffer
I'm your angel undercover
I've been numb, I'm revived
Can't say I'm not alive
You know I wouldn't want it any other way

******

Reactions were mixed, to say the least.
"It was... nice"
"Bahahahahaha..."
"..."
"Wut?"
"Moondancer is certain she doesn't own this record..."
"Did, did that really happen? 'K I gotta at least respect your self confidence gal."
"I ... really like your... mane?"

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The night rolled on, they sang 'A little help from my Friends' by the Beatails and the obligatory 'Equestria Girls'. Ponies dropped to sleep one by one, but nopony wanted to stay out of it for long.

******
"Thank you so much for a wonderful party, Moondancer. Girls? A pleasure as always, take care of yourselves now." The horde of ponies departed with the morning sunrise, yawning. The fillies were being carried, they had fallen asleep hours ago, along with the dragon.

Moondancer waved until they were out of sight, then turned to her friend, "Moondancer wishes she knew what the buck just happened." She wouldn't see the morning paper until almost noon.

******

Optional Cannon Scene

******

"Remind me why any of us are trusting this nut-case?" Thunderball asked, glancing about him in annoyance.
"He claims it is possible to recall our casualty, that makes his claim worth our time." Sea Foam replied, no happier.

"I, please. It really is him, he just... he hasn't met you yet. But the one thing you have to do for him, you have to trust him." Derpy was adamant that the brown pony had known them before, in his future. It made no sense, earth ponies didn't become pegasi, now or ever. And as for living backwards or moving sideways or whatever, well it was hard to tell if they had the story straight or if this was another... 'Derpism'.

"Yeah!" Snowflake shouted, prancing in place. The possiblity was enough for him, you set a goal and you reached it. He didn't set goals he couldn't reach, so it stood to reason this Just Doctor character didn't either. He muttered another 'yeah' under his breath to settle himself.

"Brilliant, all of you keeping in touch over such a long period of time. Fascinating. Now, I need each of you to concentrate on your last memories of Miss Gale... hold on, I think I finally get that one. Frank Oz, wasn't it? Oh, no, that was the green fellow, Baum, the writer, yeah that's it. Amazing how many coincidences you lot have - thought I much prefer ponies, frankly." The brown earth pony rambled contentedly, mostly to himself, around the metal tube shaped tool in his mouth. Occasionally it would emit blue lights.

The brown pony looked down at the purpleish gray unicorn filly, "Dinky, you are being very brave, being out here. It's past your bedtime, you know that? Funny, isn't it, sun's just now setting but it's actually ten o'clock. Ha, controllable speed sun rotation, fascinating, isnit? By tomorrow it should all be-" Derpy 'gently' nudged him." Right then, you are one brave little filly, take after yer Mum, don't you?" She nodded happily, "Ok, now you remember what we talked about before, right? No, wait, not the 'always be ready to run' talk, good work remembering that bit though. The... spell, yeah, spell, ha, still getting used to that part. Magic, who knew? So... spell, right? Yeah I knew you'd remember. Very important you remember that bit, ok? Let's... see what happens." 'I have NO idea what I'm getting myself into here. What I do know is Derpy is the first pony who helped me after I came here, and if she says I end up liking this lot, well a lot of my past selves have let me down, so I might as well give my future self the benefit of the doubt. I guess.'

The five adults were spread in a circle around the clearing, Ponyville on one side, the Everfree Forest on the other. Ditzy Doo nee Derpy, Sea Foam, and Horsepower each held a small roan colored feather. Thunderball and ... Mr. 'just the' Doctor each held a candle, with another placed in the center of their ad hoc formation. Dinky Doo circled the group, her tiny horn sparkling lightly. When she came back around to the Doctor he nodded, "Ok, open the bags now. Each pony had a small bag with a tiny bit of cloud in it, which they all released. Instead of either floating away or dissipating, they swirled toward each other, stretching and spiraling.

A small funnel cloud formed and began growing at an alarming rate. The Doctor pointed his metal rod tool thing at it and a green beam of light shot forth. 'Here goes nothing, hopefully here comes something too.' The still small funnel stopped increasing in size and instead increased in intensity, darkening in color and flashing bolts of lightning. Within a minute it had reached speeds unheard of and was nearly whistling. "Dinky! I really, really need you to remember this next part! Ok, sweetie? Either way this is going to hurt." The Doctor picked up the last item, a burlap sack with a very carefully measured weight of sand within it. Racing toward the storm, which now sounded like a tea kettle ready to be taken off the stove, when he was as close and he could manage, he flung the sack with a flick of his head.

The storm blasted away in a dull roar. After the ponies had picked themselves up, they saw a pegasus standing in the center. A mare, with dull maroon fur and roan colored mane. She stood in a tensed posture, wings set almost parallel to the ground but slightly forward, ready to either shield her or flap her into the air. The wings required a second glance to realize how large they were, large enough for a gryphon easily. around her neck was a band of blue ribbon with a lion's claw tied in front. She wore a battered black hat with wide brim and conical top and silver shoes. In her mouth was a battered broomstick, held defensively. Once that had been taken in, one noticed the wicker saddle-baskets, the left one carrying an aged black wire terrier, whuffling quietly as it slept. The right basket held a straw hat, a tin funnel, a stack of quilting fabric, a large metal pocket-watch, and a piece of moose-horn. Also, her eyes were squeezed tightly shut.

Nopony moved for several minutes, they hardly dared breathe. Eventually the reddish pony opened her eyes and dared to breathe deeply again. She gazed around her in wonder, looking at each of the ponies present, taking their every detail in greedily. "This, I'm not in Ohsees anymore, am I?" She knelt, wings folding in - and they took quite a bit of folding. "Oh, please, please tell me this is Equestria." Derpy nodded, trotting forward. The others followed her, not sure what to believe.

"I feel as thought I have lived the strangest dream. You were there," She pointed at Snowflake, "and you, and you were there, and you, and... oh, hello Doctor. Doctor!? Ohh, you found her again, that's wonderful." None of the others seemed to notice the sinking feeling the earth pony experienced. "Where's, oh... did something happen to Fluttershy?"

"Dorothy, we, we didn't know this would work. Nopony told her you'd be here, please understand. She'll ... she'll be back soon, I'm sure. Positronic carburetor... how are you?" Derpy asked, finally letting herself believe.

"Well, from what I understand, it all starts about fifteen years ago with Professor Lulamoon..." They all gathered to hear the story.