//------------------------------// // An Unexpected Visitor // Story: The Pony: An Unexpected Journeigh // by Ash_Kitsune //------------------------------// The Pony: An Unexpected Journeigh A fanfic by Ash the Kitsune MLP:FIM is Owned by Hasbro, as are any of it's characters. Characters that I make up are owned by moi, of course, and The Hobbit and LotR are (c) Professor J. R. R. Tolkien, without whom none of this would have happened of course... and without whom, I doubt I'd have ever become an avid reader and writer. Thank you, Professor... for everything. Credits for this idea go to the almost insanely talented GalaxyartForever and his crew of voice actors/actresses for his amazing trailer. From this I draw my inspiration to write it... along with The Hobbit of course. ------- CHAPTER ONE: AN UNEXPECTED VISITOR -------- “Uuuuugh, Twiiiiliiiiiight! Do we have to do this?” Rainbow Dash moans in annoyance as she looks at her Egghead Friend. “I know you love reading and all, but this is soooooo boring!” It was a stormy day in Ponyville, and the towns resident weather pony groans in displeasure. She had been planning on hanging out with her friends during the storm, a real slumber party between the six of them, with good food, games, and scary stories! And while the first two -did- happen, including some cider from Applejack, which was always fantastic, now she was going to be bored to tears as Twilight steps up to tell a history lesson? “No offense Darling, but I agree with Rainbow Dash...” Rarity says quietly, the demure unicorn taking a quiet sip of her cider. “But this isn't any ordinary history lesson!” Twilight says, the Element of Magic in the flesh and a bright young unicorn, the Faithful Student of Princess Celestia. “It's a story about my family, and Starswirl the Bearded!” “Booooring!” Pinkie Pie says cheerfully. “Needs more candy!” Twilight and Applejack frown at Pinkie. “Now hold it right thar missy. Family is a big deal, an' ah'm sure Twi's got a good reason fer this story. Besaids, it might be interestin'.” The Farm Pony says, poking her hoof at Pinkie. “Um... I... well... yes, it sounds nice... not scary at all.” Fluttershy murmurs, peeking her head out from behind her mane and over a pillow that she was hugging lightly. Twilight shakes her head. “Well, in some parts it's pretty scary... you see, it's the story of Clover the Clever.” At this, Rarity perks up, and Rainbow Dash groans. “Great.” The lighting-fast pegasus moans aloud. “I'll take a nap, thanks.” Twilight frowns at Rainbow Dash as she motions for her friends to join her by the fireplace, her horn glowing softly as she pulls a strangely bound tome from her library shelves, hidden away in a higher-up-area. “Oh shush... trust me, you'll like it Dash... it has bold heroes, dark monsters, and grand battles.” Twilight says, rolling her eyes. Dash snorts in response as Twilight starts manipulating the flames, much like Zecora did on Nightmare night, putting images into the flame. She coughs to clear her throat and begins. “Gather close, and let your mind stay free, for tis not a tale I tell to forget, nor a tale oft' passed... tis the tale of the Student of Starswirl the Bearded, Guardian of Princess Platinum, Mistress of the Stars, and Master of Light and Darkness... Clover The Clever...” With that, Twilight begins to read, her voice low and almost reverent as an image starts to form into the fire... “Dear Princess Platinum, You asked me once if I had told you everything there was to know about my adventures... and while I can honestly say I have told you the truth... I might not have told you... everything...” A long time ago, longer then anypony can remember, in the mystical lands of Equestria, there lived three races of ponykind. The Earth Pony, strong, humble workers of the land, loyal and honest to a fault and masters of their domain, the very land upon which they stood, hard and bold. The Pegasi, commanders of the sky and a powerful, military race of Pony, proud of their ability to manipulate lighting in their very hooves, to master any weather with their mighty wings. And the Unicorn. Scholars and kindly folk, who oft rested in nature, or in sprawling cities with little conflict, for you see, the Unicorns cared for learning and mastery of their mind over mastery of the land, or of the sky... they sought the beyond, and knowledge beyond their years, prizing it most above all else. However, the Unicorns were the first to realize how unlikely it would be for their scholarly pursuits to secure them a place in the world, and so set out to seek out a way to unite the Pony races. Their task was completed after a meeting with the Pegasi Commandant, Lord Stormwing, and the Earth Pony's Leader, Johnny Appleseed. They met with a single unicorn, known only as 'The Voice', for whom all record was lost. Tis this meeting that lead to harsh words between the races, and almost a full blown war against one another... before A Goddess stepped into reality and brought Harmony. This Goddess, known only as 'Faust', set forth across the lands, her gleaming red mane and shining white coat haring her arrival to all ponykind as she came, spreading her word to the world... and leaving behind two young Goddesses to watch over ponykind. There names were Celestia, and Luna, her daughters, the Sun and the Moon, and so they came to watch over ponykind, set in title as the Princesses of Equestria, and their Mother, the Queen. Under Celestia and Luna, the races came together in Harmony, and the races sought to create something to visualize this unity. What they created were the Elements of Harmony. Six powerful magical artifacts that embraced the six traits of harmony- Loyalty, Honesty, Generosity, Laughter, Kindness, and above all else, Magic. Many moons passed, and all was good... till the Diamond Dogs attacked. They encroach upon ponykind, seeking to steal Equestria out from under the Princesses. They were ruthless, seeking the blood and forced labor of ponykind. The Thousand Year war was horrid. So many ponies died, and their names are still remembered today. But lo, all was not lost, for even though ponykind was pushed back to the capital, to Everfree... the tides were turned, and the Diamond Dogs scattered by a lone unicorn, with a gleaming silver mane and beard. Starswirl the Beareded became the first magician of the Royal Pony Sister's court, and all was as it should have been. Ponykind was slow to recover, but recover they did, but one thing was lost- The Elements of Harmony, stolen by the Diamond Dogs. Years passed and The Elements were forgotten by all but a select few, who spoke of the legendary Elements in hushed tones, seeking clues for where they could have been taken by the Diamond Dogs. Such a precious treasure of Equestria... it should be in pony hooves, not the dirty paws of the greedy Dogs. But this is known history... what isn't known, what I haven't told, is how I came across an adventure I never sought, and how a scholarly unicorn became a thief... -------- “Wait, what did she just say?” Dash says, perking up. “A thief!?” Twilight frowns, glaring at Dash. “Hush. I'm trying to tell you the story!” Dash waves her hooves. “Still, seriously, a Thief?!” Twilight groans, pawing her face. “Yes, seriously, a thief. Clover the Clever was a Thief of great renown.” “... Woah.” “Yes, Woah, now be quiet Rainbow Dash!” ------- On top of a hill in a small area outside of Everfree was a small town by the name of The Shire. This small little unicorn community was a safe, comfortable environment for learning, teaching, and studying. Everypony knew everypony else's name, and oft would trade books with one another, or borrow from one particular pony. Her name is Clover, known to many as 'Clover the Clever' for her knowledge and tricky riddles, which she enjoyed sharing with anypony who stepped into her Library, built into the side of a hill. Oft she would sit, smoking her grand pipe and musing upon riddles and stories as she gazed upon the clouds, waiting for a visitor. What she never expected was that one fine morn, all would change. “Ho there, Clover the Clever.” A low, aged voice mused oft from the unicorn mare, who softly rocked in her chair, pipe in hoof as she glances over to the voice, her carefully cut mane bouncing lightly, it's lavender locks glinting in the morning sun. “Ho there stranger, and stranger still. Good Morning.” Clover muses aloud as she smokes her pipe. “Now, what does that mean? Stranger I should hope not, Clover the Clever, and what should one mean by 'Good Morn'? Is it as such because you decided it so? Is it if I wish it to be one or not? Or mayhaps you just wish me a good morning, or feel that it is one, or maybe even feel that is a morning to be good on?” The elderly unicorn says, smiling warmly at Clover, his belled hat jingling lightly, a cloak almost made of the star settled upon him. “All of them at once, though not so good much longer if thou intent to continue to barrage me with riddles. Tis my job.” The mare huffs out with a puff of smoke. “Still, it is a fine morning for a pipe of tobacco out of doors. If it would please you, have a seat by me and take your fill of mine, and mine riddles as well.” The pony chuckles lightly, bowing his head. “Ah, Clover, such a smart mare, as clever as your titles say, but I have no time for smoke rings today, for you see, I am seeking you, Clover the Clever... how would you like to share an adventure?” “Adventure? Adventure! Good morn to you sir, I have no need nor want of an Adventure, I can't just pack up and leave out of the blue now, for I am loyal to the royal, and I have duties to attend here at my library. Nasty, dirty things, Adventures. Make you late for supper. Good morning, you shall have to find another.” Clover huffs at the silver maned unicorn, who chuckles lightly. “Oh please my dear filly, I ask only that you listen. Sure more knowledge can't be such a horrible thing, can it be? So many things you seem to use good morning for, as you now seem to wish to be rid of me! Never would I think to see the day that Fleetfoot's favorite niece would good morning me.” The wise old unicorn hums with a smile, only to end up with a small cloud of sweet smoke from Clover's pipe in his face. “Not at all! But you are stranger yet, magician, and I don't think I know your name.” She huffs. The unicorn chuckles quietly. “Yes you do, Clover the Clever, though you don't remember that I belong to it, for I am Starswirl the Bearded, and Starswirl means me. And still you send me away, as if I were selling horn enhancements at the door!” Clover blinks in thought at the name, idly tapping her pipe as she gazes at the other unicorn. “Starswirl? Not the Starswirl that told such excellent stories at the parties when I was a filly? The Starswirl who was responsible for so many quiet colts and fillies rushing off with grandeur of adventure in their minds, including my favorite uncle?” “Ah, you do remember. And I would thought to send you on this adventure, Clover. Amusing for me, profitable for you, and very good for you.” “Sorry, but I don't want any adventures, thank you.” Clover says as she taps out her pipe. “Good morning, but please, come to tea! Why not tomorrow? Y-yes, come tomorrow! Good bye!” With that, Clover darted back into her home, the door snapping shut behind her. A few moments pass in silence but for the breeze, before Starswirl chuckles again, musing to himself as he steps forth and lays his horn upon Clover's door, etching carefully and quietly, a small marking... a five pointed star, a jewel upon each point, and a larger gem in the center... Clover huffs to herself as she sets her pipe away. “Adventure indeed! Ho-hum! I am far to busy for an Adventure, nor would I wish to do such a thing! ...But why did I invite him to tea?” She says, her horn glowing as she starts walking amongst her books, drawing up a letter as she walks. “Ahem... Dear Princesses, Upon a more indepth study of my Library and your royal requests, I have discovered the source of the equine ability to manipulate items with our hooves...” ------- Twilight blinks in confusion and frowns. “Wha... no! It's smudged!” She cries out, panicking a bit as she looks at the smudged page. “My mother is going to KILL ME! This is a family heirloom!” The other five ponies are gaping at her... well, Dash is gaping because she's asleep, only to be swiftly kicked awake by Pinkie's flailing limbs as she scrambles to her hooves, bouncing. “Wait, wait, waaaait! You know how it works?!?” Pinkie gasps, pointing at Twilight in shock. Twilight shrugs. “Well, it's not like it's a secret or anything, it's a fact that's been known in my family since... Clover herself.” Rarity blinks. “But why don't more ponies know that? To be fair, it's quite curious how so few know how it works. I certainly do not.” Twilight shakes her head. “Most Ponies don't care and to be honest, it's not anything really spectacular anyway, so the princesses deemed it general information and never really pushed it forwards. Honestly, it's accredited to Clover's name, but it stands as one of her... less then useful discoveries, though it was on the order of the Princess.” “That's great and all Twi, but when is this story gonna pick up? You've been talking for like, twenty minutes now and you -just- finished the first three pages!” Dash groans, rolling onto her back. “I know it's got a slow build up Dash, but please try to bare with me, I'm doing my best to cut it down and modernize it for you. Clover's writing isn't the best in the world, and her words and vocabulary is very flowery due to it being in Ancient Equestiran.” Twilight says, rolling her eyes. Dash sighs. “Fine, fine, as long as it picks up soon...” “Oh, it will Dash, it will.” ------End Chapter One-----