The three of them were going down the path while waving goodbye to Banana Pie.
Solight smiled. “He seemed like a very nice pony,” they said.
Jasper nodded, smiling as well. “He certainly is,” said the sheep.
Spike had an idea. “Hey, Solight. The next time we visit Banana Pie, how about we buy some bananas from him?” asked the young dragon. “We could make some Banana Cream Pies, Banana Pudding, Banana Milkshakes, or even some Banana Bread.” Spike was drooling as he thought about the food.
The alicorn smiled a little. “Spike, you’re drooling,” Solight informed.
Hearing that, the young dragon snapped out of it and wiped off the drool from the corner of his mouth.
Spike chuckled. “Sorry,” said the young dragon. He then looked at Jasper. “So, who’s the next pony we’re seeing?”
The sheep thought about it. “Well…” he said, but then paused. “Is that…?”
Jasper stopped in place, while the alicorn stopped behind him.
Solight looked at the sheep. “Is something wrong, Jasper?” they asked, concerned.
He squinted his eyes. “I think I see someone familiar,” answered Jasper.
“Who is it?” asked the young dragon.
“It looks like…Pinkie Pie?” said the sheep, confused. “And she’s…What is she doing…?”
At a discernible distance, he saw a frantic Pinkie Pie bouncing up high into the air above ponies, looking worried. While the party pony was bouncing, she was glancing towards the bottom left.
“She looks frantic and is heading in our direction, which is strange because I told her to keep an eye on…Celestia…” said Jasper, realizing. “Solight, act normal and quickly follow after me. Now.”
That surprised the alicorn. “What’s wrong?” they asked.
“I had sent Pinkie Pie to keep an eye on Celestia, remember? If she’s heading our way, then that means so is Celestia,” answered the sheep.
Solight became visibly worried.
“No, no, no. We can’t let her see us!” said Solight, worried tone. “If she sees me, then he’ll see me too! I’m going to get it from both of them if they find out that I disobeyed an order!”
There was somepony that was with Celestia’s that the alicorn knew that they did not want to encounter right now other than the sun princess.
“We’re going to have to take a quick detour. Come on,” he said.
Jasper quickly headed for the nearest street while being followed by Spike and a worried Solight.
Few Minutes Later
After a few turns down different streets, they stopped, finally feeling safe.
“Okay. I think we’re far away enough from them,” said the sheep. He looked at them. “You two okay?”
The young dragon nodded. “I’m okay,” he confirmed. Spike looked at Solight. “What about you, Solight?”
They sighed. “Yeah, I’m okay too,” said the alicorn, relieved. “That was a close one. It’s thanks to Pinkie Pie appearing that we were able to avoid them for now.” Solight decided that the alicorn will thank Pinkie Pie later for warning the three about the sun princess. Right now, they needed to continue what they were doing. “So, what were you saying about your friends?”
Back to their previous activity, Jasper continued from where he left off. “Well, the last time I saw Gentle Hope was a while ago before I headed off for Canterlot, and she was helping decorate the zone around her job site. She told me that she was going to help decorate Town Hall after she was done,” the sheep informed. “As for Cinna, she’s probably either at her house, hanging out with her other friends, or she’s helping the ponies decorate.”
“Or she’s right next to you,” said a familiar voice.
Everyone turned towards the source of the voice.
Jasper smiled as the pony in front of them was a smiling Cinna. The alicorn and the young dragon were confused.
“Hey, Cinna! We were just talking about you,” said the sheep. “I’d like for you to meet my two new friends that I met in Canterlot: Solight and Spike. They came to check out Ponyville’s Summer Sun Celebration.”
She waved at them. “Hello! Nice to meet you two,” greeted the pegasus mare, happy tone. Inwardly, Cinna was excited. “Yay! New friends!”
He turned towards Solight and Spike. “Solight, Spike. This is my friend, Cinna,” introduced Jasper.
The two of them waved back, smiling.
He jumped off the alicorn’s back and approached the pegasus. “It’s nice to meet you, Cinna. I’m Spike,” said the young dragon. “You seem like a nice mare.” Spike then held out a clawed hand at her for a…limbshake.
Cinna eagerly returned the greeting by taking his clawed hand, shaking it. The pegasus mare smiled even more. “Aww. Thanks,” they said.
Solight had approached Cinna as well, and then they held a hoof out towards her, deciding to greet the pegasus mare the same way the young dragon did.
The alicorn continued to smile. “I hope we can become great friends, Cinna,” said Solight.
Cinna shook their hoof as well. “I know we will. In fact…” she said, pausing.
The pegasus suddenly flew over and booped Spike on his nose followed by the alicorn. While the young dragon was surprised, Solight wasn’t as they started grinning and laughing.
Cinna was until she noticed an oddity and pointed at Solight’s teeth. “Wait, are those fangs?” she asked.
That made the alicorn stop laughing, and it had attracted both Spike and the sheep’s attention.
Solight nodded. “Yeah, I’m a hybrid. I’m part Kirin, part dragon, part thestral, and part unicorn,” they answered.
Cinna and Jasper were both surprised and amazed.
She became happy as the pegasus had made another friend who was also a hybrid. “Can you breathe fire? Can you eat gems?” asked Cinna, excited. “What kinds of magic can you use? Do you want to be friends?”
The alicorn was surprised at the line of questioning but was able to answer Cinna’s questions. “No, no, I do know some spells from different species, and yes,” answered Solight. They smiled at the last one.
The pegasus mare smiled as well, happy with the alicorn’s answers. “Thanks,” she said.
“You’re welcome,” said Solight.
Suddenly, a noise sounded out from the sheep’s stomach.
GROWLLL!!!
He blushed. “Heh. I guess a little snack won’t hurt,” thought Jasper.
The sheep reached into his cloak and pulled out a ruby. It gleamed in Jasper’s hoof as some sunlight refracted on it. It looked very appetizing to the sheep as he was bringing it closer and closer to his mouth, making Jasper drool.
He noticed the ruby in the sheep’s cloven hoof. “Is that a ru-” said Spike, but was then interrupted.
CRUNCH!!!
Jasper had taken a bite out of the gem and started chewing. To him, it tasted like an apple that was cooked with cinnamon and spice.
The young dragon was shocked. “Solight! Look at what Jasper’s doing!” shouted Spike, pointing at the sheep.
The alicorn turned to look at Jasper, and was shocked as well as Solight couldn’t believe what they were seeing as the sheep took another bite out of the ruby. It also shocked some ponies who were passing by as well. Cinna was the only pony not shocked as she had seen him eat gems before when they had hanged out together that one time.
“You’re eating a ruby?! H-How?!” questioned the alicorn, flabbergasted.
Jasper swallowed before answering. “I’m a hybrid like you, except I’m one-third Crystal Sheep, one-third Dragon, and one-third Diamond Dog,” answered the sheep. “Because I’m part dragon, I can eat gems, which is how I’m able to eat this ruby.”
Now that Solight knew that he was a hybrid as well, they went from shocked to intrigued. As for the young dragon, he calmed down after hearing that.
“Is there anything else you can do as a hybrid?” questioned the alicorn, curious.
Jasper held a cloven hoof up before finishing the last of the ruby. “I can breathe fire, eat gems, and I have the same abilities as dragons. That’s about it, I think,” he answered.
Solight was intrigued. “I see. Those are very interesting things to know about you,” they said.
The sheep smiled. “Thanks,” he said. Jasper turned to look at the pegasus. “Any more questions you have for Solight, Cinna?”
Cinna thought about it before shaking their head. “Nah, but if I have any more questions that I can think of, then I’ll ask later during the celebration,” answered the pegasus. “By the way, are you going to the celebration as well, or are you leaving before night again?”
He smiled. “I’m sticking around. The Summer Sun Celebration is something I wouldn’t want to miss, Cinna. After all, all of my friends are going to be there,” said the sheep. Jasper also couldn’t miss it because Nightmare Moon was going to show up as well.
That made her smile. “Then I can’t wait to see all three of you at the party. I know it’ll be a night that you all won’t forget,” said Cinna.
“If only you knew how right you were,” thought the sheep. “By the way, just curious, but were you doing something important before we met or were you on your way to do something?”
The pegasus mare shook their head. “It wasn’t anything important. I was only on my way to the craft store to buy some more thread for my sewing projects back home when I saw you three. I got curious and decided to see what you were up to,” answered Cinna. “Turns out you were giving a tour to your new friends.”
Jasper chuckled. “Well, don’t let us distract you from your sewing projects. We can chat again later at town hall during the party,” he said. The sheep didn’t want to keep the pegasus away from her own hobby.
Cinna nodded, agreeing. “Okay,” she said. The pegasus mare looked at the alicorn and Spike. “It was nice meeting you two.”
Solight smiled. “Same here,” they replied.
The young dragon smiled as well. “It was nice meeting you too, Cinna,” he said.
She smiled. “See you three later. Bye,” said the pegasus. Cinna waved before flying off to her destination.
Spike looked at Jasper. “All of your friends are nice ponies. They even seem to really treasure their friendship with you,” said the young dragon.
He gave a smile. “Yeah. I feel the same exact way, Spike,” agreed the sheep. “So, the last one of my friends to meet is Gentle Hope. Since we’ve been visiting and chatting with the others for a while, she’s probably decorating town hall by now, and if not, she might be by the time we reach there. She’s a really nice pony just like the others. Come on. She should be at the town hall.”
Few Minutes Later
Gentle Hope was actually at the town hall, helping other ponies decorate. Unfortunately, the sun princess was there too along with some royal guards and some sort of alicorn stallion. As for Pinkie Pie, she was hiding in plain sight. Princess Celestia was chatting with the mayor of the town, Mayor Mare. Seeing as it would be bad if the alicorn and Spike were spotted by the sun princess, Jasper decided that he would go and get the psychiatrist pony to come along with the sheep, while Solight and the young dragon were hiding out of sight.
He stopped next to Gentle Hope. “Hey, Gentle Hope. How’s it going?” greeted Jasper.
The psychiatrist pony stopped what she was doing and turned around to face the sheep. Gentle Hope then smiled. “Hi there, Jasper. Did you come here to help us out with the decorating?” she asked, wondering.
Jasper shook his head. “Nah, I came here to introduce you to some new friends I made in Canterlot. They’re here to check out the Summer Sun Celebration,” the sheep informed. “They would like to meet you, but they want to talk with you somewhere else since Princess Celestia is nearby and it’d distract them from their conversation with you.” Part of it was a lie he thought up in order to get the psychiatrist pony to come along with Jasper to meet the two. It wasn’t a good one, but it should work.
Gentle Hope looked at the sheep with a raised eyebrow. “Jasper, what did I tell you about lying? Especially when it’s toward your friends?” she asked. It seems that the lie did not work at all.
For some strange reason, whenever he’s around the psychiatrist pony, Jasper’s lies fall a bit flat, like it’s hard to lie to her. The sheep believes that it might be because Gentle Hope reminds him of his mother.
The sheep looked down at the ground. “Well, I tried, but it’s a bit hard to lie to her,” thought Jasper. He sighed. “My friends know Princess Celestia and the stallion, and they’re not supposed to be here, but in Canterlot instead. That is why they’d rather avoid being seen by the two and get in trouble, which is why they want to meet you somewhere close by. They’ve already met the others, so you’re the last one to meet them.”
The psychiatrist pony stopped raising her eyebrow. “...I see. Well, I guess I can take a few minute break to speak with your new friends and see what they’re like,” said Gentle Hope. “Next time, just tell me that instead of coming up with a lie like that.”
Jasper was still looking down at the ground as the sheep felt ashamed. “Okay,” he muttered. “She’s reminding me more and more of my mother.”
Before they could leave, the two were stopped by a voice that was right next to them.
“Excuse me,” said a female voice with a regal tone.
The sheep didn’t need to look behind himself to know who it was. “Oh, great. I was planning on avoiding her all day today,” thought Jasper. He turned to face the owner of the voice. “Yes?”
The voice belonged to Princess Celestia, who was looking at the sheep with a smile. The unknown stallion was standing right next to her while also looking at the sheep curiously. As for the royal guards, they were right by their sides, ready to defend both him and the sun princess.
“Greetings. My name is Princess Celestia,” she greeted with a friendly tone of voice. “May I inquire as to your name?”
He had no choice but to answer, seeing as how if Jasper didn’t, he’d be seen as rude by the psychiatrist pony. “Nice to meet you, your highness. My name is Jasper,” said the sheep.
She smiled. “What a nice name you have for a sheep such as yourself. Can you tell me where in Equestria you are from?” asked the sun princess.
“I’m from somewhere far away, outside of Equestria. I had moved here back in Fall to make friends with the ponies,” Jasper informed. “So, I chose to live close to Ponyville in the Everfree Forest.”
Princess Celestia was surprised. “Oh, my. The Everfree Forest is such a dangerous place to live in,” she said.
The sheep shrugged. “It’s kind of peaceful once you get used to it. Also, it’s unclaimed land, so it belongs to no one,” he said.
“That is very true. You’re such a brave little sheep for braving the dangers of the Everfree Forest,” complimented the sun princess.
Something about that compliment was making Jasper angry.
Before he could say anything, Gentle Hope decided to speak up. “Excuse me, your highness,” she said.
Princess Celestia looked down at the psychiatrist pony.
“Yes, my little pony?” asked the sun princess.
“I’m sorry for interrupting, but me and my friend have something important to do right now and it’s during my few minute break before I have to continue decorating. Can we please leave?” asked Gentle Hope.
She nodded, smiling. “Of course. I’m so sorry for taking up both of your important time,” said the sun princess. Princess Celestia looked up at Jasper. “It was nice meeting you, Jasper. Hope to talk more with you later if you’re attending the celebration later on.”
“I am,” he confirmed.
The sun princess smiled. “Good. Then, I hope you both enjoy the Summer Sun Celebration,” said Princess Celestia.
Before Gentle Hope could say anything in response, the sheep interrupted her.
“We will,” said Jasper.
He turned, and then walked in the direction of the alicorn and Spike’s location. As for the psychiatrist pony, she looked at the sun princess with an apologetic look before following after the sheep.
Once Gentle Hope was trotting by Jasper’s side, the psychiatrist pony looked at him, concerned. “What was that all about? It’s almost like you didn’t like the princess,” she observed.
“Sorry about that, Hope. It’s just that something about her really rubs me the wrong way,” said the sheep. “I don’t know what it is, and I really can’t put my hoof on it, but I just can’t trust her.”
“Well, it is your first time meeting her. Maybe that’s it?” theorized the psychiatrist pony.
Jasper didn’t know if her theory was right or not, but it might have been. “Maybe,” he said.
They kept going until they turned the corner and encountered the alicorn and Spike.
The sheep gestured with a hoof. “Gentle Hope, I’d like you to meet my friends from Canterlot, Solight and Spike,” introduced Jasper. “Solight, Spike. I’d like you to meet my friend, and one of Ponyville’s Psychiatrists, Gentle Hope.”
They gave Gentle Hope a smile. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Gentle Hope. I hope we can become friends,” said Solight.
The psychiatrist pony smiled. “I’m okay with it if you are,” she said.
The alicorn nodded. “I am,” they said.
Gentle Hope smiled as well. “Well, it’s nice to meet Jasper’s newest friends,” said the psychiatrist pony. “Sorry that I wish I could talk to you two longer, but I have to help decorate the area. So, I can only chat for a few minutes. If that’s okay?”
Solight smiled. “I’m okay with it,” said the alicorn. They then looked at the young dragon. “What about you, Spike?”
He smiled. “I’m okay with it too,” agreed the young dragon.
The sheep looked around until he spotted the perfect place for them to hide away in. “Great. How about we have a chat inside that smoothie shop?” asked Jasper. He was pointing at a nearby shop that was decorated with images of fruits and teas, and even had a sign that said ‘Sparkle Mane Drinks’. “I’ve been meaning to order a smoothie while giving you two a tour. If you all don’t mind going there?”
A smoothie sounded like a great idea to Spike. “I could go for a smoothie,” said the young dragon.
The alicorn shrugged. “I guess I could go for either a smoothie or tea. What about you, Gentle Hope?” asked Solight.
She smiled. “Tea does sound good right now before I continue decorating,” said the psychiatrist pony.
“Great. I’ll even pay for everyone as part of my treat,” offered the sheep.
The three then headed for the shop and went inside. The whole place was decorated like it was a tropical paradise cafe. Gentle Hope ordered a Chai Tea, Jasper ordered a Blood Orange and Ginger Smoothie, Solight ordered a Strawberry Banana Smoothie, and the young dragon ordered a Dragon Fruit Smoothie as part of the sheep’s recommendation. At the register was an earth pony mare.
“I hope your older brother feels better, Tropical Smoothie,” said Jasper, in a sympathetic tone.
Tropical Smoothie smiled. “Thanks, Jasper. His cold has almost healed up, so he should be getting better in a few days,” she informed.
He smiled. “That’s great news,” said the sheep.
The mare nodded. “It really is,” said Tropical Smoothie.
Jasper then headed for the table where everyone was seated. The shop was owned by the ‘Smoothie and Tea Family’, who moved to Ponyville two years ago. The mare’s older brother, Orange Ginseng, is actually her older stepbrother through a marriage between Tropical Smoothie’s mother, Vegetable Smoothie, and the stallion’s mother, Lemon Ginger.
The sheep sat down right next to the alicorn. “She said her brother will be better in a few days, Hope,” Jasper informed.
The psychiatrist pony smiled. “I’m glad to hear that Orange Ginseng’s getting better,” she said.
“Who’s Orange Ginseng?” asked Spike, curious.
“Tropical Smoothie has an older stepbrother named Orange Ginseng. He had caught a cold a few days ago and has been in bed sick ever since,” Gentle Hope informed.
They smiled. “Glad to hear somepony’s doing okay despite being sick. Getting sick is the worst,” said Solight.
He nodded. “It really is,” agreed the young dragon.
Even the sheep hated getting sick too. Jasper shivered from the memories of being sick. “Definitely,” he agreed.
“Mm-hmm,” agreed the psychiatrist pony.
They all paused for a moment before continuing again.
“So, Solight and Spike. What can you tell me about yourselves?” she asked.
Gentle Hope had then started asking questions about the alicorn and Spike, who in turn asked questions about her.
Few Minutes Later
The psychiatrist pony had finished her treat and just left the table.
She smiled. “It was really nice meeting you two. I hope you two have a fun time at Ponyville,” said Gentle Hope. “I’ll see you three tonight at the town hall for the celebration.” The psychiatrist pony was about to leave, but then she stopped and turned to look at Solight. “By the way, Solight. If you want any future therapy sessions, just let me know. I’ll set up an appointment, okay?”
They nodded. “Sure thing,” said the alicorn in a grateful tone.
“Bye,” said Gentle Hope as she made for the exit.
“Bye,” said the three.
Now that Jasper had introduced Solight and the young dragon to his friends, there was nothing else to do now but wait for the celebration to start. The three of them had even finished their drinks. The sheep then had an idea.“So, Solight. Since there’s only a few hours left until the celebration starts, we have enough time for you to go read some library books,” he informed. “If you still want to, of course.”
As soon as Solight heard that, they became excited. A level of excitement similar to the one the party pony herself always seemed to display. The next thing that Jasper knew, he and Spike were being rushed to follow after an excited alicorn who was sneaking around, keeping an eye and ear out for Princess Celestia, the alicorn stallion, and the Royal Guards.
Meanwhile-At Carousel Boutique
The door to the boutique opened, and out came two robed figures.
The robed figure, who was slightly taller than the pony-shaped robed figure, closed the door behind them. “She was the last of them, right? Because I’m getting tired of going around town, capturing ponies and sending them off to the other dimension,” complained a slightly scratchy, male voice.
The pony-shaped robed figure nodded. “Yeah. Rarity was the last one, so now the path that should be taken, will be,” said, a calm, wise voice.
“So, we only have to wait until everything is over, and then release the ponies?” asked the tall, robed figure.
“Yes,” answered the pony-shaped robed figure.
He sighed in relief. “Phew. Great,” said the tall, robed figure. “After we’re done with this, I can finally relax.”
The pony-shaped robed figure nodded. “Let’s go,” they said.
The two robed figures disappeared in an instant.
Few Hours Later-Nighttime
Everyone was at the Town Hall, waiting for Princess Celestia to make her appearance while Mayor Mare was giving a speech. Meanwhile, the sheep had met up with his other friends and were with them in the crowd of ponies. Well, except for the pegasus mare, who was standing over by a corner of the wall, watching everything while Cinna’s Thestral Coltfriend, Lucious, was hanging out with her.
“Where’s Solight and Spike? I thought they were attending the celebration?” asked Gentle Hope, curious.
“They are here. They’re just in the crowd somewhere,” answered Jasper. “They said that they wanted to be a little closer to the princess once she arrives.”
It was partly true as Solight and the young dragon were nearby, but were hiding amongst the crowd of ponies in order to remain out of sight from the royal guards and the alicorn stallion, while keeping their eye on the spot where the sun princess is supposed to be, ready to disappear the moment before she has a chance to see them. Anyway, since the one who was supposed to pull the rope, Rarity, isn’t here, so Pinkie Pie volunteered. The party pony bounced over to the rope and pulled it. As soon as it parted, everyone gasped, except the sheep, who gave off a fake gasp, as there was no one there.
Jasper could sense powerful dark magic approaching their location. “Nightmare Moon is coming. I can sense her,” thought the sheep.
Jasper then started pushing through the crowd in order to reach the alicorn and Spike, surprising his friends.
“Banan?” said Banana Pie, confused.
“What’s he doing?” questioned the psychiatrist pony.
“I don’t know, but we better follow after him before he gets himself in any trouble,” said Melon.
The three ponies then followed after the sheep.
He reached the two. “I’m guessing you have the same feeling on who’s behind this too, huh?” asked the sheep.
They nodded, still looking up. “Yeah, and she just showed up,” Solight informed.
Jasper looked up again to see the evil alicorn, Nightmare Moon, had shown up. Everyone was shocked, including the unknown stallion, who had a look on his face as if he recognized her.
“It’s time to start the plan, Solight,” whispered the sheep.
The alicorn nodded in response. What happened next was that the evil alicorn did a speech, some blue mare with a rainbow mane tried to pick a fight with Nightmare Moon but was stopped by her friend, and Pinkie Pie did a guessing game, but her guesses were only making the evil alicorn angrier and angrier.
Solight decided to be the one to answer. Them answering wasn’t part of the plan, but it looked like Nightmare Moon was going to explode if no one gave the right answer or gave so many wrong guesses like the party pony did. “You’re Nightmare Moon,” answered the alicorn.
Doing that attracted everyone’s attention, including the alicorn stallion. As soon as he saw Solight, the unknown stallion’s eyes widened in a mix between surprise and anger. Surprise because the alicorn’s wings were gone, but anger because they weren’t supposed to be in Ponyville.
“Me and Spike will be in so much trouble after this,” thought Solight.
Their answer seemed to have made the evil alicorn satisfied.
He looked down at Spike. “Who’s the stallion? His current reaction makes it seem like he knows Solight,” whispered Jasper.
“That’s Solight’s Grandfather, Draco. He’s Princess Celestia’s brother,” whispered the young dragon.
“Ohhh…” said the sheep, understanding. “No wonder he didn’t want to be seen by him after sneaking out of Canterlot. He’d be in trouble with both the princess and his grandfather.”
The Royal Guards, by the Mayor’s orders, went to arrest Nightmare Moon. Draco joined in as well, his front hooves extending into claws.
“Now!” whispered Jasper.
While the evil alicorn was distracted, the sheep, the alicorn, and Spike, who was riding on Solight’s back, headed towards the door. Seeing them leave so quickly made their friends both surprised and confused.
She felt worried about the three. “We should follow them and see where they’re going. I’m worried they’re going to get hurt if it involves that evil alicorn,” said Gentle Hope.
The unicorn stallion and melon pony both nodded in agreement and galloped after the three, far, but close behind.
As for the pegasus, she was wondering where Princess Celestia was but then Cinna saw Jasper, Solight, and the young dragon go out the door. “They’re sure in a hurry,” said the pegasus mare. They then saw the psychiatrist pony, Banana Pie, and Melon galloping after the three.
“Cinna, we have to go after them. We have a feeling they’ll be doing something stupid and life threatening,” the melon pony informed.
Hearing that the pegasus’ three friends’ lives were going to be in danger, Cinna, not wanting her friends to die, flew up into the air.
“Lucious, you stay with everyone else. I’m going to go help out my friends, okay?” said the pegasus mare.
But before the kirin could say anything, Cinna flew off after the other three, determined.
Few Minutes Later
They had made it to the Golden Oak Library, where the sheep and the alicorn had just dropped Spike off since it was going to be a dangerous battle against Nightmare Moon, and they didn't want him mixed up in any of it.
“What did you two think you were going to do, and please don’t tell us that it has to do with that evil-looking alicorn that just showed up?” asked a female voice.
The two of them looked and saw that the voice belonged to Melon. Along with her was Gentle Hope, the pegasus mare, and the unicorn stallion. The four of them approached the two.
He decided to be the one to explain everything. “Oh. Well, you see,” said Jasper. “Me and Solight both believed in the legend of Nightmare Moon and knew she was going to be freed tonight. So, a few months ago, after I moved to the Everfree, I had a plan that would help save Equestria in the form of my ultimate inventions. With it, Nightmare Moon will be defeated once and for all. So, then I heard about Solight and recruited them to help me. Yada yada yada, right now, we’re going to go acquire my inventions, but acquiring them is going to be a challenge.”
The melon pony raised an eyebrow. “A challenge, huh?” she asked.
The sheep nodded. Yeah,” he said.
“And you were going to do it without us?” asked Cinna, confused.
Jasper shook his head. “No. You each have the necessary strengths to help us acquire them,” explained the sheep. “This challenge requires all of us.”
“I see…” said Melon. “So, this is what you were talking about back at the celebration?”
Jasper shrugged. “Yeah,” said the sheep.
Solight was surprised. “Hold on. You told them back at the celebration?” they asked, confused.
“Yeah. They’re my friends,” he confirmed. “If I didn’t tell them, and they followed us, that would’ve made them mad and affected our friendship, so I told them all while we were at the celebration. After all, friendship is important, right?”
The alicorn sighed. “Yeah. I guess you’re right,” said Solight. “Friendship is important in the world.”
The sheep smiled. Then, Jasper walked away a few feet before stopping. “Good. Also, sorry about this, you all,” he said.
His words confused the group.
“Sorry about what?” asked the pegasus mare.
Suddenly, a giant magic circle appeared on the ground, around the group, accompanied by smaller magic circles appearing directly beneath them. Each one was decorated with different writings in their rims. The group were all shocked at the sight of it all.
Solight was flabbergasted. “Jasper, what’s going on?!” they shouted.
Jasper looked determined. “I’m sorry about this everyone, but I’m going to fight Nightmare Moon by myself. You all need to focus on facing your own challenge in order to acquire what will be given to you in the end if you complete it,” the sheep informed. “The thing you’ll each receive is part of what’ll be the key to defeat Nightmare Moon.”
“Wait-” shouted Solight, before being interrupted.
All five of Jasper’s friends were teleported away in an instant.