A nice breeze was blowing through the fields at Ponyville Schoolhouse that were set-up for today’s event. Ponies were gathering all around and taking the stands to spectate. Majority of the audience were either parents or older siblings of the fillies competing today. Out of the ponies, a familiar band of ponies were eagerly waiting to see their younger siblings do well.

“How much more do we have to wait? Can we get the event started already?” Rainbow Dash groaned.

“Just cool your jets there Rainbow Dash, there’s no rush.” Applejack assured her. “Besides what brings you here, I thought you had some important things to take care of?”

“Oh and what makes you so sure she’ll win?” Applejack challenging her cyan friend. “I’m pretty sure with all the years of hard work on the farm Applebloom will win this.”

“Both you girls need to calm down” Rarity said to them. “This is a team based event not individual event….but if anypony is going to carry their team it’s Sweetie Belle.”

“Girls there’s no reason for us to be arguing like this,” Fluttershy interrupted. “We’re here to support them aren’t we Pinkie Pie?”

“Well duh, why do you think we’re here in the first place?” Pinkie Pie answered as she buried her face in popcorn.

“I thought you said that you were here for the big after party to celebrate the fillies’ hard work.” Fluttershy reminded her.

“There’s an after party after this? Oh I hope there are cakes, and balloons, and streamers, and games, and….” But was silenced when Rainbow Dash put her hoof in Pinkie’s mouth.

“I think we get it Pinkie. By the way….” Rainbow Dash said looking around. “Where’s Twilight, I’ve barely seen her this week?”

The girls started to converse amongst each other trying to find out what has kept their friend so pre-occupied the whole week and not seeing her friends. While the girls speculated, Fluttershy remained out of the group, trying to avoid getting sucked in. Applejack was the first to notice Fluttershy’s behavior.

“What I don’t anything about Twilight being with Revenant…if that’s what you mean?” Fluttershy failed to defend herself.

“No that’s not what I meant, but what do you mean by ‘Twi being with Revenant’?” Applejack questioned Fluttershy.

“Well earlier this week she came by asking where he was and went into the Everfree forest. The next morning I saw them both walking out of the forest with each other, and since then nearly every night they go in there together.” Fluttershy answered

“She’s been with that jerk this whole time?! Why I’d outta kick his flank!” Rainbow Dash exclaimed.

Pinkie Pie quickly jumped her friend. Rarity and Applejack had to pull her off before she squeezed the life out of her. Meantime, Rainbow Dash kept her distance and was glaring at her the whole time. Twilight took a moment to get her air back after her near-death experience thanks to Pinkie Pie.

“I’m sorry Twilight, it’s just we’ve barely seen you this whole week and were worried.” Pinkie Pie answered.

“So busy that you couldn’t spend time with your friends or does that jerk matter to more than we do?” Rainbow Dash asked.

“Uh what she meant Twi is what’s with you spending more time with Revenant then with us this whole week?” Applejack asked kindly trying not to build an aggressive atmosphere.

“I’ve been helping him set-up this whole event. He’s barely had any time to relax so I decided to help him.”

“If that’s true, then why keep it a secret from us, we are your friends after all?” Rarity asked.

“You girls are my friends, but the way you’ve been with him this whole time hasn’t been friendly to him.” Twilight answered.

“He deserves it after what he did. Besides what’s the deal with you to going into the Everfree forest every night?” Rainbow Dash asked.

“I’m sorry about that Twilight…” Fluttershy quietly answered. “They started to talk about it and then asked me and I just said it…I’m sorry for that.”

“It’s alright Fluttershy…” Twilight sighed. “You see girls, after what happened back in the mountains he went into seclusion to train.”

“To control what he calls his ‘darkness’. He’s been working very hard on it and I went to see him earlier this week and helped him.” Twilight answered

“I don’t know really, he just said that me being there helped. Actually the first day I was with him, he mentioned that was the first time he controlled it. After that I’ve just been there for him to help him improve.” Twilight finished.

“Oh my, that sounds like a lovely romance story. To think a stallion with dark secrets trying to fight them, but then a mare comes by who helps him through his pain thus igniting a flame of love.” Rarity poetically said out loud.

“Romance story? I thought we were talking about Twilight helping Revenant with his training in the forest, or are you saying that the two are a romance story.” Pinkie Pie then gasps with realization and looks to Twilight, “You’re crushing on Revie aren’t you Twilight?”

“What…no it’s nothing like that at all…I just want to help him out that’s all….” Twilight nervously responded.

“Now that I think about it…when we were at his house last time you were the last one to leave and it took a while before we saw you. I’ve also noticed that at times when you’re together his tail twitches. Strange that’s the only time it happens though.” Pinkie Pie continued.

“Twilight dear, are you…in love with him?” Rarity asked her trying to be friendlier. “It’s okay to tell us, were your friends.”

“Well…oh look the event is about to start.” Twilight quickly said dodging the question.

Revenant walked into the center of the field while levitating a microphone with him. It looked as though he tried to do a sound check from it and got unfavorable results. He decided that it was best not to use it and used his magic to amplify his voice.

“Can everypony hear me?” Revenant addressed the audience who easily heard him. “Okay then….Good morning ladies and gentlecolts. Thank you all for showing up for today’s special event. Today the fillies will be having a little competition to decide which the best pony is. Within this competition, they will be tested on endurance, agility, and intellect. Now then to help judge this competition we have Ms. Cherilee, The Mayor, and every pony’s favorite dragon, Spike.”

“Now the class has been divided into teams. So let’s give it up for them shall we.” He introduced the fillies as they joined the field.

“Alright now that we’re all set let’s kick things off and remember have fun out there ‘because if you’re doing something that isn’t fun then you must be doing something wrong.”

The fillies were getting ready to start the events and prove who the best race out of them was.

The big event then kicked off. A couple events consisted of some racing as well as relays for them. Earth ponies and pegasi started strong on those events but the unicorns had their time to shine on the more puzzling events. While earth ponies and pegasi tried to mainly go through it, the unicorns used what little capabilities of magic they had to have them overcome the challenge and pick up their score.

What really had things going though were how the cutie mark crusaders worked during the event. At times they looked as though they were helping each other out not knowing they were competing. Scootaloo would be stumped on a puzzling obstacle and Sweetie Belle would help her out. Applebloom would help give a push for Sweetie Belle on some of the running events and Scootaloo would help Applebloom on the maneuverability. Then some events they would get in each other’s way trying to hinder their respective teams. A couple events they even got into a small tussle. Revenant just couldn’t pin what the crusaders would be doing next and only stared at them baffled and had to facehoof a couple times. After a couple hours of cheering and excitement the event was down to its final competition.

“Well this has been an eventful day so far am I right?” Revenant addressed the crowd. They responded with their cheers and applaud. “I know things have been going good but alas, it all must come to an end. The scores for each team are very close and what better way to settle this than a good ‘old fashion tug-o-war but this one has been designed for all three to compete at once.”

Revenant pointed out to the tug-o-war pit where a rope was tied off in the center and split out into three directions. He explained that each end has been designed for each respective team to use their abilities to the fullest, ultimately defining which team would be the best. The fillies went to their respective ends and got ready to pull.

“Get ready and…..oh look a squirrel.” Revenant said. He could’ve sworn he heard a simultaneous groan from the audience. “Sorry ‘bout that folks…now then fillies….PULL!”

The fillies began there three way tug-o-war. The earth ponies had their teeth sunk deep into the rope while having their feet firmly planted on the ground. The pegasus had their grip and used their wings to pull with more force. The unicorns used their magic to aid them in pulling the rope practically doubling their strength. No pony could tell who was going to win. The crusaders decided to change that. Applebloom dug hard into the ground and started pulling the other teams vigorously; Scootaloo was flapping her wings as fast as she could in order to maintain her team and pulling the others. Sweetie Belle thought of a tune and would have the rope tug more against the other teams with her tune. The rope was being pulled in multiple directions as if…

The teams fell back and looked up to see if they won. To their dismay they saw that the rope had snapped and that none of them had gained the advantage. Everypony just gazed in amazement of what had happened. It was so quiet that not even birds were chirping. All were baffled and confused of what had just happened.

“Uh….wow….never saw this happen before….” Revenant said to himself trying to come back to reality. “Okay then everypony, it seems that the final event has ended in a way I’m sure that will never happen again. So since a winner can’t be determined by this event we’ll go to the scores of the past ones.”

Revenant then went to the judges who tallied up there scores. He then came back with a trophy for the winning team and several medals.

“Alright then everypony the winners of this event are the earth ponies due to being ahead by merely five points of the other teams. It was a close one but a winner has been decided.” Revenant said as the spectators cheered for the winners. Some of the pegasi pouted in the stands that they lost while a couple of the unicorns had a more optimistic view point towards it.

“I hope all of you had fun as much the fillies did and don’t worry we can always do this again to determine a new winner or can the champs hold on to their victory? Other than that have a great day and do partake in the after lunch party here, if you need me I’ll be here.” Revenant said as he left the field.

Everypony was enjoying the free lunch that was provided for them at the school. A lot of the parents were talking about their fillies as well as congratulating them on all their hard work. The mane six were together with the crusaders telling them of how proud they were. Applebloom was hoping for her cutie mark to appear but still a blank flank. She was still pretty happy though that she won. Scootaloo scoffed at her and told her that she was lucky. Sweetie Belle was just laughing at her two friends argue over the competition.

"My little ponies, you did great and you still showed great teamwork even though you were on opposite teams.” Twilight praised the crusaders.

“Thanks Twilight, we couldn’t have done it without Revenant’s help though.” Scootaloo responded.

“I don’t know; let me ask Spike he may know.” Sweetie Belle said as she went off.

Moments later she returned with Spike who directed the mane six and crusaders where he was. When they all went to go see him they saw him talking with The Mayor.

“….so you see I think it would be a high-time for us to invest and take my little business further than Ponyville and reap the income. What do you say?” Revenant propositioned her.

“Well you do bring up a lot of good facts, and so far you haven’t really let anypony down. Alright then I’ll see what I can do.” The Mayor responded.

“Oh I see your friends are here to see you. I’ll let them talk to you now.” She said as she walked off.
Before any of the mane six could speak to Revenant, the crusaders quickly leaped on him and thanked him for his help.

“Okay crusaders I get it. As comfy as the ground is I would prefer to stand now.” Revenant joked with them as they got off him.

“I was making a business proposition with The Mayor to help extend business to benefit Ponyville.” Revenant answered.

“C’mon Twilight you should know since you’ve been with him all week and barely seen us.” Rainbow Dash interrupted before Revenant could answer.

“Rainbow Dash be nice, I think it’s time we settled things now don’t ya think?” Applejack stopped her friend.

“Well…I guess so… but this time you’ll tell us everything, and I mean everything.” Rainbow Dash said to him. “Just know we’re only doing this for Twilight.”

“I was hoping that it would be for all our sake, but hopefully after this, things could start getting back to the way they were.” Revenant began.

Before Revenant could start explaining himself, he stopped to see a familiar alicorn walk to them. Other ponies around him began to clear the way and some even bowed to him. The rest stared wondering why he was here.

“I do hope I’m not interrupting anything.” The night sky alicorn addressed the group.

“Ah the Princess decided to give me some time off and I heard of this event so I wanted to see it. I must say you fillies did an excellent job. The Princesses would love to hear this.” Nightingale said to the crusaders. Their eyes began to glitter with excitement and imagination that the next time the regal sisters show up to see them.

“But that isn’t the reason you’re hear talking to us now is it?” Revenant continued to ask him.

“*sigh* you are right. As much as it pains me to be the stick in the mud, but I’ve got a message to pass to you all.” Nightingale addressed to them.

“Wait a minute; I thought Princess Celestia said there was four of ‘em. This would be the third one right?” Pinkie Pie asked. “Oh are we going to get a vacation after this one is that it?”

“Hehehe….I don’t know about that but, let’s discuss somewhere more….private.” Nightingale then used his magic to encase them all in a field of magic that made them invisible to the outside world. Nopony would tell where they were or could hear them. “That’s better now the fourth one will only reveal itself when all three have been united. I’m pretty sure that means that once we get the third one then the fourth should appear with it and you’ll be done and most definitely rewarded.”

“So where is this one at…is it somewhere dark like the caves, or is it in a terrible forest? Oh I hope there aren’t any scary creatures at this one.” Fluttershy began to speculate.

“I can assure you that shouldn’t be the case. This time we got it early so hopefully there shouldn’t be any trouble.” Nightingale continued.

“Well if there’s any trouble we’ll take care of it like last time.” Rainbow Dash said confidently.

“About last time you all did well, especially you Fluttershy to think after that you’d be more….courageous but even I get scared at times so it’s natural.” He said to them giving some confidence to Fluttershy.

Before they could move, time felt as if it stopped except for Revenant and Nightingale.

“A talk no…a message to you.” Nightingale said in a hostile tone. “I know what happened back in the mountains, what happened to you, and what you did to them…especially to Pinkie Pie.”

“It’s my job to know this much and get this straight. That little slip you had back there would’ve had you gone for good but lucky for you they protected you from it. If it were to happen again, I won’t let it slide like last time and I’ll make sure you’re punished harshly. I suggest to you that you sit this one out or do you want to cause even more pain like last time to them?”

“I’ll take it that you’ll agree with me on this. Good now it’s time for us to go.”

“This….threatening me….installing fear….doubt…..why are you doing all this?” Revenant asked him angrily. “All I want is a new life, a simple one to where I can settle down and maybe start a family…but you….you seem to keep me away from all that….why?!” Nightingale took a moment to think before answering Revenant’s question.

“I am only looking out for what is good for them, for Equestria. Now if you don’t mind there is business that needs to be taken care of. Farewell Revenant, do take care and not break anything for me okay. Tata for now.” Nightingale said.

Nightingale then teleported away with the mane six and brought Revenant back to the school at the party. Revenant just stared off in the distance, angry, afraid, and powerless compared to Nightingale. How did he know so much and why did he torment him? Revenant began to feel his dark feelings rise but he quickly suppressed them.

“It’s alright there’s always next time besides you have a visitor Rev.” Levia turned to him.

“Great! I’m really happy that you helped us out and that I was able to win. I wanted to be as good as you so I had to work really hard to do this.” Pip happily answered.

“That’s wonderful. I’m glad just keep it up and someday you can be great.” Revenant assured him.

“Believe us kid, you got a spark within you.” Fefnir answered him. “Keep hold of it and have it grow, because that’s what is going to keep you pushing. You may even get better than Revenant, wouldn’t you agree Rev?”

“Oh wow then I’ll be sure to work really hard then and maybe be better than you one day.” Pip responded with excitement.

“Well how about you don’t go running off like that first eh son?” Pip’s dad said as he joined them.

“It’s alright; I figured you’d want to see him…so you’re Revenant Soul huh? Hey son why don’t you go play with your friends for a little bit okay?”

“Yeah c’mon Pip you can help us out with our next plan to get our cutie marks.” Applebloom said as she dragged Pip off with the rest of the crusaders.

“Well it involves catapults so we were thinking that….” Scootaloo explained as they ran off.
Revenant and Pip’s dad both stood there laughing at the crusaders and their crazy schemes.

“The things fillies come up with nowadays…so my son looks up to you a lot.”

“Indeed he does, but he only wishes to be a stallion like you though.” Revenant assured him

“Ah don’t sugar coat it. I’ve been busy with work lately I really haven’t had much time to be a father to him.”

“It’s all right, I know he was overjoyed to see me here for him so at least I know I’m getting back on the right track. I must know….how do you have connections in Canterlot?”

“I saw you talking with that alicorn, we don’t get too many of them and all have been from Canterlot from what we’ve seen so far.”

“Oh well I really don’t have connections to Canterlot. I only know because of Twilight Sparkle and her friends.”

“Huh I see…they’re a good bunch to be with. They’re all good mares individually but together is when they truly shine.”

Revenant just had a blank look on his face. Pip’s dad shook his head in grief.

“Whoa where did that come from…and I’m not dense…well not too dense…” Revenant replied.

“C’mon you hanging out with six pretty good mares, there is no way you can’t be interested in one of them? So I ask again which one?”

“Alright alright, don’t need to go hurting my pride. It’s Twilight Sparkle.”

“Ah the librarian…didn’t know you were into those kind of things. But you know as they say ‘different strokes for different folks’.”

“Wait what!?! Hold on it’s nothing like that at all!” Revenant tried to defend himself.

“Well she’s smart, pretty, kind-hearted, caring. She’s always looking out for anyponies best interest. Her attitude towards a situation is just admirable. We share a lot of things in common. I mean, when I first arrived here she gave me a place to stay for a couple weeks. The whole time I was here she looked out for me even when I was too ‘dense’ at the time. We both enjoy being with each other, and she doesn’t give up on anypony. For a while I was pretty troubled and she was there to help me through it all. Even when I was in dark place for a time, she was there searching for me and stayed with me through it until she pulled me out of it. She’s just a beautiful mare in general and…” Revenant rambled but was cut-off by Pip’s dad.

“Enough I get it. Jeez you’re smitten aren’t you? So how long have you two been going out?”

“Why in the hell not? After all that you are still nowhere?! What is stopping you?”

“I…I messed up…big time….I really don’t want to go into it but….I did some sinful things that now I don’t know if they can be fixed.” Revenant sadly answered.

“I don’t know what it is and I don’t want to know but, from what you told me about her….she’s something that needs to be in your life just as much as she needs you in hers.”

“I’m saying go to her…make things right. Give it everything you got to make it all right.”

“It doesn’t matter” He interrupted Revenant. “As long as you are putting in the effort to fix everything and make up for what you did things will turn out for the best, but only if you do everything you can to make things right.”

Revenant was frozen at his words. They swirled in his head with all his emotions. He began to feel as if he was being thrown into a whirlpool of his own thoughts. Then he remembered, that night. The night he made a promise to her and then everything became clear to him now.

“You’re right…I need to go to her and fix everything whether her friends like it or not.” Revenant said with newfound confidence.

“Thank you, are you sure I’m the one Pip should be looking up to?” Revenant asked him.

“Right oh and one more thing, I’m going to need your son’s help. Do you mind?” Revenant asked.

“Great I’ll be sure to not keep him too long.” Revenant said as he went off. “Fefnir…Levia let’s go we’ve got work to do.”

“I see that your drive is back in you. If that’s the case then we’ve got some adventuring to do.” Fefnir chuckled.

“And if we’re adventuring then that means we’re meeting up with the girls after all.” Levia added as she followed Revenant and Fefnir.

He went to search for Pip, Spike, and the crusaders. He needed there help if he wanted to get to the mane six. It all became clear to him now, what had to be done. He had to do it, no matter what anypony else thought. Even if Nightingale revealed what happened at the mountains to the Princess, he wouldn’t care. Just as long if he can make things right, nothing else mattered.

Nightingale why are you so mean to Revenant? Can't you see he just wants a normal life with Twilight and the rest of the girls? Next chapter takes the mane six to the next adventure in Neighagra Falls.

Revenant Soul: Genesis and The Weather Elements

by cyber_pony13

Chapter 15: The Big Event