Twilight Sparkle wakes from a good night's sleep, hops out of bed and tries to wake up Spike. “Good morning, sleepyhead. Time to get the day started.” Spike grumbles, rolls over and goes back to sleep. Twilight chuckles as she heads downstairs to organize her books when Pinkie Pie barges into the library all nervous and scared. “Pinkie Pie? What are you doing here so early?” Twilight inquires with a yawn.
Her Pinkie Sense shakes her over to Twilight, who recognized this as the doozy. "Is it really that bad?" Twilight asks. They hear Spike belch upstairs and Twilight can't believe it. “Spike! What did I tell you about manners?!” She scolds. "What do you suppose this is about, Pinkie?" Twilight returns her attention to the pink mare, who simply shrugs. "It's a doozy, that's all I know."
Spike walks down with a letter in his hand. “Excuse me, Twilight, but you have a letter from Celestia.” Twilight takes the scroll with her magic, opens it and starts reading. “Dear Twilight Sparkle, I have had a feeling of dread all night last night. I feel like something terrible is about to happen and there's nothing I can do to stop it. Please, gather the Elements of Harmony and meet me at the castle.” She lets the contents of the letter sink in and is scared herself. “Pinkie, we need to find the others!” She salutes Twilight. “Okey, dokey, lokey!” She says as her Pinkie Sense shakes her out of the library.
The six were gathered at the station, waiting for the train to begin boarding. “What do you suppose the Princess is afraid of?” Rainbow Dash asks. Twilight shakes her head. “I don't know, but I have a feeling Pinkie knows something.” Pinkie Pie looks confused. “Just because I know a bad vibe doesn't mean I know what it means.” She says. “We believe ya, Sugarcube.” Applejack assures her, wrapping a foreleg around her.
“ALL ABOARD!” The engineer yells out. The six lined up to enter and see an earth pony coming up to the door at the same time. “Oh, I'm sorry. Please, ladies first.” The gentlecolt says, bowing and revealing a sword strapped to his back. “Hey! You're not supposed to carry those things on the train.” Twilight says. The engineer comes up to the group. “Is there a problem here?” Twilight tells him about the sword. “You must be Flint, am I right?” The earth pony nods. “He's okay, ladies. Princess Celestia has given us orders to let him on board with his weapon." Still remaining suspicious, Twilight and the others board the train with Flint following closely.
The six have found their respective seats, and as it happens, Twilight and Applejack were seated across from Flint who is putting his sword in the overhead compartment. Twilight was relieved to see this, she thought that he was going to take it out and start killing ponies. He takes his seat and glances over at Twilight. “Oh, hello again.” He greets her, offering a hoofshake, Twilight accepts it so as not to give the wrong impression. “I'm Twilight Sparkle. You're Flint, right?” He nods. “Yes. I was in Las Pegasus when Princess Celestia summoned me. I can't imagine why I deserve the honor of going to Canterlot.” He tells her. Twilight blushes. “I'm her personal student,” she said, impressing Flint right away. “So I imagine you would have something important to share with her.” It sounded logical, but at the same time, he didn't know what would be important. “Maybe.” Flint adds.
The two have been talking the entire time and Twilight loses all of her distrust for the new pony. The train stops at Canterlot and the passengers begin to exit the train. Just like when they boarded, Flint lets the six leave first, with Twilight in front of Flint. He looks up at the castle, hangs his head and sighs. “What's wrong, Flint?” Twilight asks. “I haven't been in Celestia's territory in a long time... I just wonder if I still know anypony...” She raises an eyebrow. “Surely you haven't been outside of Equestria for that long.” He shakes his head. “Longer than you think. I was found abandoned in a Zebra village and was raised by them. They taught me how to forge weapons and tools and taught me their fighting style. When I became old enough to undertake their rite of passage, they told me about Equestria and I dedicated the rest of my life to find out who my parents were and why they decided to leave me there.” Now Twilight's confused. “How long have you been in Equestria, anyway?” Six months he says. “Hmm... we'll figure it out.” Then she thinks. “Hopefully we can find your parents.” He nods.
The seven enter the castle and proceed to the throne room where Celestia awaits. “Thank you all for coming, especially you, Flint. Your knowledge in Equestrian history will play a vital role in this task.” Twilight looks at Flint strangely. “You've studied Equestrian history?” He nods. “Yes, even though he has spent his whole life outside of Equestria, he was able to acquire the knowledge of our history.” The Princess explains, and Twilight is still dumbfounded. “How?” Flint shrugs. “Exported books. I find history fascinating. While I was searching for my parents, I also decided to explore ancient ruins.” Twilight's suspicions for Flint returned. “Oh don't worry, I'm an explorer, not a pillager.” She still doesn't believe him. “Princess, would you care to explain why we're all here?” Twilight finally asks. Celestia descends to the group. “Follow me.”
The group makes their way to the Canterlot Library and stop at a wing familiar to Twilight Sparkle and Pinkie Pie. “Ooh! Is this where we were when-” Twilight covers Pinkie's mouth. “Please don't bring that up. And yes, this is the Starswirl the Bearded wing.” Flint's jaw drops when he hears the name. “THE Starswirl the Bearded?” Celestia uses her magic to open the lock on the door and they enter the room.
Celestia stops in front of a book case and turns to the group. “Long before my sister became Nightmare Moon, there was beast of unspeakable power that tried to, and nearly succeeded in destroying Equestria and its neighbors. Needless to say, it was defeated by a group of heroes led by Starswirl himself... with two being Flint's ancestors.” She explains and Flint does not believe her. “My ancestors were heroes? No way... I'm outta here.” He starts walking out of the room, and Twilight raises a foreleg toward him. “Wait, Flint!” He's already gone. “Let him be, Twilight.” Celestia tells her. “He may not want to believe right now, but eventually, he will.” Twilight turns back to her teacher. “This beast you mentioned, it's coming back, isn't it?” She nods. “So that's what it meant!” Pinkie Pie exclaims, first looking cheerful, then scared. “Where was it sealed, exactly?” Twilight asks. “Beneath Canterlot... long before it was founded. Myself, Luna and Starswirl cast a spell to seal the creature, but it has grown weaker. Twilight, I want you and the others to go to the shrine near the old castle where you freed Luna. There is an artifact there that I fear may have been taken.” Twilight nods. “We'll check it out, Princess.”
The group leaves the library, knowing where their initial task will lead them, but Twilight doesn't want to leave without Flint. “Hmm... if I were a pony in doubt of my heritage, where would I be?” She asks herself out loud. Pinkie Pie points to Flint, who's going to Joe's doughnut shop. “Ooh, I know!” With the exception of Pinkie Pie skipping, they walk to Joe's.
They enter the shop after Flint, who found himself a seat at the counter. “Flint, we're not leaving without you.” Twilight says and Flint sets down his doughnut. “Have you ever been in the Everfree Forest?” He turns to them. “No. What's so special about that place?” Twilight starts smiling. “It's loaded with ruins. Celestia told us to go to a shrine in there.” He walked right into that when he told them that he likes exploring ruins. “Fine... let's go.” He pays Joe for the doughnut, picks it up and they walk out of the shop.
Before they return to Ponyville, Flint thought he should be properly introduced to the others since he's more familiar with Twilight Sparkle. “Flint, these are my friends: Applejack-” She walks up to him and shakes his hoof. “Howdy, pardner!” She says before walking back to Twilight. “Pinkie Pie-” Pinkie hops up to him and hugs him. “Are you excited, because I'm excited-” Twilight pulls her away from him. “Sorry about that. Rarity-” She walks up to him. “Pleasure to meet you. You must be quite the lady killer, aren't you?” Flint rubs the back of his head with his leg and chuckles nervously. “Rainbow Dash-” She hovers near him. “Hiya!” She says. Twilight uses her telekinesis to bring Fluttershy into view. “And this is Fluttershy.” He smiles. “It's a pleasure to meet all of you, now what do you say we check out those ruins?”
The seven enter the Everfree Forest, but they weren't alone. “I vote we go back...” Fluttershy says, Flint didn't like the idea of continuing either, but they had to. Fluttershy screams, all eyes are averted to her direction, she was knocked over by a monster. Flint rushes, pulling out his sword with his mouth and kills the monster with a single blow before holstering the sword. “Are you alright?” He asks the stunned Pegasus as he helps her back up. “Y...yes. Th-thank you...” He turns to Twilight. “What was that thing?” She asked. Flint shook his head. “I'm not entirely sure myself.” He turns his attention back to Fluttershy, making sure she didn't get injured. “Whatever it was, it wasn't from the forest.” Fluttershy says before shrieking. The others turn and see a Cockatrice. Flint was ready to pull out his sword again, but Fluttershy stops him. “It's okay, I know this Cockatrice.” Flint relaxes as Fluttershy walks up to it. The creature beckons the group to follow it. “This wouldn't be the dumbest thing I did.” Flint remarks as they follow the Cockatrice.
The Cockatrice takes them to their destination. “You don't suppose this is where Celestia wanted us to be, do you?” The Cockatrice takes them to a statue of a Pegasus cowering in a corner and returns it to flesh. “Hey! What's going on?” The Pegasus says with confusion. He darts his head around, looking for his companions. “Where are they? Wait... I remember something.” Flint walks up to him and looks him in the eye. “Treat. It's always a pleasure to see you.” Flint greets the Pegasus sarcastically. “Do you two know each other?” Rarity asks. “Oh yeah. Me, Treat and Baltimare Bill were exploring ruins near Trottingham a couple of months ago. When things went bad, you deserted us, Treat.” The Pegasus chuckled nervously and tried to fly away, but Rainbow Dash stopped him, pinning him down. “I heard he was a criminal.” Twilight adds. “One that pillages historical sites and sells his stolen treasure to the highest bidder.” Treat continues to chuckle nervously. “I can explain.” Flint closes the gap and looks him in the eye. “Then start explaining.”
Before he could start, they hear a monstrous roar coming from the forest. “That sounded like an Ursa.” Twilight says, recognizing the roar. The creature that pops out from the trees was an Ursa Major. “I hate it when I'm right.” Twilight adds. “There's something wrong with this one.” Flint pulls out his sword and readies himself for battle. “Let Treat go, RD.” Flint orders the rainbow-maned Pegasus. “You run away, and I will kill you myself.” Flint continues, threatening his former colleague. Treat floats above him with a dagger in his mouth. “Not this time, Flint.” The earth pony and the Pegasus charge the Ursa Major; Twilight and Rarity use their magic to aid the two; Pinkie Pie uses her party cannon and apples are thrown by Applejack to distract the Ursa from Flint and Treat's attack.
The two deliver a deadly blow to the Ursa with the aid of the Elements of Harmony, and it explodes in a cloud of red smoke. “Is everypony okay?” He asks. They all confirm that they are with Fluttershy being very distraught. “Do Ursa do that?” Flint asks openly. “I've done some research on them a few years ago, but my book didn't say anything them turning into smoke upon death.” Flint eyes Treat, walks up to him and hits him across the face with his foreleg, knocking the Pegasus down. “Flint!” Twilight exclaims as she separates the two with her telekinesis. “Do you have any idea what they did to Bill? He had family for Celestia's sake!” Applejack walks between the two and gives them both a stern look. “Listen, sugarcube...” She starts, looking at Flint. “Y'all can argue about what happened a couple of months ago, but we'd prefer if ya'd focus on the here and now.” Flint was still furious, but the mare had a point. “When this is over, we're having a long talk.” Twilight releases her magical grip on the two. “Treat, why were you here in the first place?” Twilight asks calmly. “Celestia ordered me here to find an item of historical significance. She said something about it being a part of the 'Reharmonizer' or something.” Both Twilight and Flint's eyes beamed when he said that. “The Reharmonizer?” They both ask. “Yeah... you two know something about it?”
Twilight and Flint step to the side, and let the others talk to Treat. “The Reharmonizer was the sword Starswirl created to seal up the demon, wasn't it?” He asks, Twilight confirms. “Yes. He made it using two additional swords: the Sword of Harmony and the Sword of Chaos, which were given-” Flint knew what she was going to say next. “They were given to the husband/wife members. Fearing that the Sword of Chaos would eat away the spirit of the wielder, the husband volunteered to carry it while his wife carried the Sword of Harmony.” He finishes, then he moves his cape to reveal his cutie mark: a rainbow-colored sword on top of a sun. Twilight immediately recognizes it. “That's the Reharmonizer!” Something came to Flint as if it were prophecy. “The husband and wife didn't just carry the swords, they WERE the swords. Which means Celestia was right... I'm their descendent.”