//------------------------------// // Chaos Reigns: Part Two: Nova's Secret // Story: My Little Pony, Friendship is Out of This World // by Robobrony //------------------------------// Chaos Reigns Part Two: Nova’s Secret Discord was rolling on the ground in laughter at his victory. “And what are you laughing at?” Pinkie Pie asked angrily. Discord wiped away a tear as he explained. “Ho ho, you ponies are just the most fun I’ve had in eons.” Pinkie then got in his face. “Well quit it! You’d better think before you laugh at the Pink….ie Pie!” Fluttershy then cut in. “Oh yeah, well hah hah.” She mocked with a laugh and a mean spirited look. Pinkie rushed over to her. “Quit it.” “No, ha ha ha ha ha.” Fluttershy continued laughing at Pinkie. “QUIT IT!” Pinkie was just getting madder. They just went back and forth. This was frightening Nova a little. He wanted to be brave to try and think of why the others were acting like this but he was too afraid of them now finding out about his secret. Applejack had walked over to the big rock. “Uh Rarity, this here diamond of yours, Twilight said we should split it six ways since we found it together.” Rarity suddenly kicked Applejack away. “HiYAH, try it punk, he’s mine, all mine.” “Why are they acting like this, they aren’t acting like themselves, then again, I don’t think I’m acting like myself. Should I really be here to try and help? If they can’t accept me for what I am, maybe they aren’t really my friends after all.” Nova thought sadly. He backed away from them all as much as he could. He noticed Twilight looking at him with worry as well after looking at her friends. Nova couldn’t bare to look her in the eye thinking that if he told her the truth about him, she’d turn him away. “Girls, why are you all acting like this?” Twilight questioned. “We need to stick together. Nova, please help!” Twilight called to him for help. “I…I…uh…I don’t think I can. I don’t know what to do.” Nova said to her. Twilight stepped closer to him. In response, Nova stepped back. “Nova?” Twilight asked sadly. Nova looked away. “I’m sorry Twilight, but I can’t help.” Discord was sitting on a row of seats as he watched the display. “Oh ho ho ho. It’s just too entertaining.” Twilight walked up to him. “Stop it Discord, you’re not playing fair.” “I’m not playing fair? Perhaps we haven’t met. I’m Discord, Spirit of chaos and disharmony, hello.” “How are we supposed to find the elements of harmony if you took away the labyrinth before we could get to the end?” Twilight questioned. “oh, wait, did you…AH HA HA HA HA!” Discord laughed. “How funny, you thought the elements were in the labyrinth?” In a flash, Twilight and Discord were gone before Nova’s eyes. He just stood there looking at the other ponies as they continued to argue and fight. “Why are they acting this way…..then again, why should I care, they won’t want to be my friend if they find out what I am…..what’s worse, I’ll….me and Starburst will have to leave. We’ll have to go back to that lonelyness. Why? Why is this happening? ITS NOT FAIR!” Nova screamed in his head. Twilight and Discord reappeared. “I never said they were in the labyrinth.” Discord pointed out. “But….but…” Twilight stuttered. “Keep trying Twilight Sparkle. Maybe the magic of friendship can help you.” Discord mocked. “Now if you’ll excuse me, I have some chaos to wreak.” With a snap, Discord vanished. Twilight looked down sadly. “Nova was right, it wasn’t the maze.” She turned to face him to see him off in a bit of a distance away from her and the others. “Nova!” Twilight called as she rushed over to him. She stopped short. “Nova, I’m sorry for not listening to you before, you were right about the elements not being in the maze. Please, you have to help me figure this out. We have to find them.” Nova looked side to side nervously. “I….I’m sorry Twilgiht, but….I…I don’t know what to tell you.” “But you seemed to have an idea before didn’t you? You have to tell me something.” Twilight asked desperately. She took a step toward him. Nova took a step back. “Please stay back Twilight.” “Nova, what’s wrong, why won’t you let me get close?” Twilight asked sadly. “I……I’m sorry Twilight, but I can’t say.” Twilight backed off sadly. “All right then.” She started thinking on her own. “Think Twilight think, find the elements back where you began, back where you began." Rarity was carrying her rock when Applejack jumped on it. “Don’t touch my gem.” Rarity said. Fluttershy then flew up to it and placed a hoof on it. “I’m touching your gem Rarity. Ha ha.” “What you laughing at?!” Pinkie shouted. “Ugh, I just want to go home.” Twilight said exhausted. It was then she got an idea. “Wait a minute…..home! Back where you began, the elements must be in….Ponyville. Come on every pony, we need to get back to Ponyille." They all followed Twilight begruddingly. Nova stayed at the back doing his best not to draw attention to himself. “Come one everyone, I’m certain this is what Discord’s riddle really meant. If we get back to the library, I have a book that I just know can give us a clue.” She declared upon nearing the town. She was suddenly trampled by giraffe legged bunnies after finishing her sentence. “Good boy Angel, mommas so proud.” Fluttershy said. “You okay Twilight?!” Nova called from the back. “I’m fine thanks.” She answered in irritation. “Ok, good.” The sun suddenly went down and it was dark. A crescent moom suddenly popped up in the night sky. “Wow, I can see so much better now.” Applejack said with much sarcasm. She started to walk, but started slipping on the road. She slid and knocked the others on the ground and came to a stop in front of Twilight, Nova didn’t get hit by Applejack. “I meant to do that.” She said. Nova was having a little trouble himself keeping his balance as he stumbled and slipped on the road. “Whoa, what the….yah.” He managed to stay on his hooves but was a little wobbly. The sun came back up and every pony could see again. “Discords turned our dirt roads into soap!” Twilight pointed out. Discord came sliding up to her. “Beautiful isn’t it? This is the new and improved Ponyville. And these are only my first changes.” Pinkie went sliding by on her hind hooves with the same angry look. When she saw Twilight was looking at her, she went back to all fours. “This may look like fun, but it’s not.” She insisted. Twilight grunted in irritation. “Ugh.” Discord picked her up. “Picture it, the chaos capitol of the world.” He held her out to see it. As soon as he did, the sun went down again. “I can’t picture anything, it’s too dark.” Twilight pointed out. Discord then just dropped her. “Well wait a few minutes, then you’ll see it in the beautiful light of day. Or not.” Discord leapt into the air like a ballerina and vanished. Twilight managed to get on her hooves. “Ponyville the chaos capitol of the world? Not if I have anything to say about it.” She proudly declared. Fluttershy came sliding by on the soapy road. “Don’t worry, you won’t. Heh heh heh heh.” They all soon approached Twilight’s library just as the sun returned again. “Okay we’re here, can everyone please please please go inside please.” Twilight begged. Before they did, Starburst suddenly came running out and went straight for Nova. “NOVA! There you are, I was worried about you.” He rushed up to his big brother and gave him a hug. “Starburst?” Nova asked surprised. “Oh, hey little brother.” “Nova, what’s going on, what happened here? Why is everything all….wierd?” As he talked, the other ponies went on inside, Starburst then noticed his brother’s condition. “Nova….what happened to you, why are your colors all….dull?” “I….well I…I don’t really know Starburst.” Starburst took notice of his brother, he seemed less confident, he seemed….afraid. “Nova? Are you ok, you seem different.” Before Nova could answer there was a loud crash. They looked to the library and saw a huge gaping hole in it now. Twilight came up to them then. Nova backed up a bit upon Twilight’s approach. Starburst grew more worried at this. “Nova?” Starburst questioned. He then turned to Twilight for answers. “Twilight, what’s wrong with Nova, why does he look like that, and why does he seem so afraid?” Twilight looked to Starburst with sorrow. “I don’t know Starburst, but we’re going to figure this out. We need to find the elements of harmony and I think there’s a book in my library that can help us find them.” “Will they be able to help Nova?” Starburst asked hopefully. Twilight wasn’t sure. “I don’t know, could you talk to Nova and get him to come inside, he just seems afraid of every other pony now.” “Ok, I’ll talk to him.” Starburst went up to Nova. “Come on Nova, let’s go inside. Twilight might need our help.” “I…I don’t know Starburst, I mean…..these elements of harmony are their thing, they don’t need us.” Nova’s colors grew darker, he was now just a dull grey. “Nova, your colors!” Starburst said worriedly.“Please Nova.” Starburst asked. “Something is wrong with you, maybe these elements of harmony can make you better.” Nova couldn’t say no to his little brother’s eyes. “Ok. We’ll go in.” Nova followed Twilight and his little brother into the library. Upon entering, Spike greeted Twilight. “Twilght, what’s going on, why does every pony look so…..grey?” “Don’t ask.” Twilight responded. “I need your help to find something. “Hey Twilgiht, what’s soaking wet and clueless?” Fluttershy asked as she was holding a bucket. “Fluttershy I’ve had just about enough-“ Twilight was interrupted when Fluttershy dumped water on her head. “Your face.” Fluttershy then slammed the bucket on Twilight’s head. “Hey, that wasn’t very nice.” Starburst pointed out with a glare. “Why did you do that Fluttershy?” “Cause I felt like it.” She simply answered. “Uh, Starburst, let’s not get involved.” Nova warned carefully. “What’s happened to every pony?” Spike questioned. “I guess you just bring out the worst in us Spike.” Applejack answered. “Ugh, no time to explain, we’ve got to find the reference guide to the elements of harmony before SOME pony does something she’ll regret.” Twilight spoke the last bit through gritted teeth. Nova cringed at the sight, he knew it wasn’t directed at him, but if she found out what he and Starburst really were, it was a scary thought. Starburst looked at his big brother worriedly. “Nova, don’t worry, you’ll be good as new in no time with Twilight’s help. Right Twilight?” He asked. “I hope so Starburst.” Twilight responded. “The elements of harmony? OH, I know exactly where that book is.” Spike declared. He quickly climbed up a latter and grabbed a book off the shelf. “Found it.” He declared just before his face was struck with a scroll. Fluttershy, being the culprit, grabbed the book in mid-air with a smirk. Twilight spoke threateningly. “Fluttershy, you better give me that book.” “KEEP AWAY!” Fluttershy called out. She then tossed it to Applejack who caught it on her nose. “Hey, Applejack, give me that book.” “I don’t have any book.” Applejack said as she tossed it up and over to Pinkie who bounced it away. “Pinkie!” Twilight cried. “HEY, Twilight needs that to fix Nova!” Starburst called out. He then proceeded to try and help Twilight get it back. “Uh, Starburst, I don’t think we should get involved.” Nova tried to tell Starburst, but Starburst didn’t hear. Flutershy had the book again. Twilight jumped to try and get it again, but Fluttershy pulled it just out of her reach. Fluttershy tossed it back to Applejack and Starburst went after it, only for Applejack to toss it again back to Pinkie. “Knock it off you guys!” Starburst called. “Stop it right now!” Twilight called. Starburst then had an idea. He zapped in his wings and zipped up in the air to grab the book. He managed to get it just before it got to Fluttershy. “Twilight, I got it!” He said as he came to a landing next to her. “Thank you Starburst.” Twilight said to him. She would have given him an appreciative smile, but she was just too annoyed with what had happened. Spike and Starburst took up a defensive stance to keep the others away. Twilight opened the book and her eyes lit up. “The elements!” There they were inside the book. “They were here all along.” Spike came up next to Twilight with Starburst. “This is great. Now you guys can defeat Discord and put everything back to normal.” “See girls, we did it, we found the elements of harmony, together!” Twilight happily cheered. “Um….congratulations Twilight.” Nova said from a far corner of the library. The other girls just looked bored and uncaring. Twilight’s happy mood dropped again. “You don’t even care do you?” “Nope.” They all answered together. Twilight hung her head in sadness. “*Sigh* I never thought it would happen. My friends…..have turned into complete jerkes!” She stated angrily. She then floated each of the elements over to their respective owner, except for rainbow dash who was not presen. “Necklace, necklace, necklace, necklace…and…..big crown thingy.” Twilight placed her tiara on her head. “Twilight, what about Nova?” Starburst asked. Nova looked away when Twilight looked in his direction. She looked back to Starburst sadly. “Don’t worry Starburst, I don’t think he’s a jerk, but…..I don’t know, he just doesn’t seem to want to get close to me anymore.” “Maybe it was that Discord guy that did this to every pony.” Starburst suggested. “Maybe, which is why we need to stop Discord and fix this.” She spoke angrily again to her…..friends. “Come on every pony lets go.” She was trotting off angrily with the others following and Nova at the back. Spike came up to her with a thought. “But Twilight, aren’t you missing somepony?” “Nope, we got the liar, the grump, the hoarder, and the brute. That just about covers it.” “But what about Rainbow Dash?” Twilight thought for a moment. “Congratulations Spike, you’re the new Rainbow Dash now let’s go.” She stated as she put Dash’s element on Spike. “ME? But, what if she finds out I’ve been impersonating her? That won’t end well.” Spike grew worried at that thought. “Too bad, your Rainbow Dash, now let’s all defeat Discord so we don’t ever have to talk to each other again.” The other ponies cheered as they rushed out. Starburst stuck by his brother’s side in worry. Nova rushed out as well with a worried look. “Never speak to each other again, but….if they defeat Discord, won’t that reverse what happened to them, and me? Why am I even still here? I’ve got no part in this. Maybe me and Starburst should just head on home. The longer I’m here, the more likely they’ll find out about us being aliens. I can’t let anything happen to Starburst.” Nova thought to himself. Just as they got outside, after Twilight used her magic to throw the rock out, Discord was there waiting for them. “Well, well, well, I see you found the elements of harmony, how terrifying.” “Discord, I’ve figured out your lame riddle. You’re in for it now.” Twilight declared. “I certainly am. You’ve clearly outdueled me, and now it’s time to meet my fate.” Discord popped in another pair of sunglasses and put them on. “I’m prepared to be defeated now ladies, fire when ready.” Discord made a target appear on his midsection. “Formation! Now!” Twilight ordered. The girls all lazily took up formation behind Twilight. “Rainbow Dash, get over here!” Spike quickly ran out from behind his hiding spot and stood with the others. Nova just watched the whole thing. “This is it Nova, once Discord is history, you’ll be back to normal.” Starburst happily cheered. “Should I really care, I feel like I should, but I just don’t. I feel like I should just run away too , but at the same time, I…..I should be here. Why? If they find out we’re aliens, it’s all over for us here.” “All right, let’s get this over with.” Twilight stated. She focused her magic and her crown and the other elements, except for Dash’s, lit up, the ponies lifted up off the ground as they started to glow. For a moment, it looked like it was going to work, but suddenly, the glow just stopped and the ponies all fell to the ground. “What’s going on?” Twilight questioned. “Mines workin, there must be somthin wrong with yours.” Applejack said. “I hate the elements of harmony!” Pinkie stated. “Garbage.” Fluttershy said as she tossed her necklace to the side. “MINE!” Rarity declared, quickly snatching it up. “What, why didn’t it work?” Starburst wondered. “Sorry Twilgiht.” Spike started as he set Dash’s necklace down next to Twilight. “Guess I better head inside and clean up the library. Good luck with all this…WHOA” Spike was rushing in but was then tripped by Fluttershy’s tail. “Oops, sorry Rainbow Crash.” Fluttershy said mockingly. “Bravo ponies, bravo.” Discord said as he clapped and walked up to Twilight. “Harmony in Equestria is officially dead. Discord rules Celestia drools.” Starburst got angry. “HEY, you big meanie!” Starburst called. “You better fix my brother right now or else!” He threatened. “Starburst what are you doing? Don’t get him mad.” Nova held Starburst back with a foreleg. “So sorry little one, but I have better things to do. Ta ta.” Discord slid off on a trail of soap. “It’s your fault it didn’t work.” Pinkie declared. “Who are you talking to?” Twilight asked. “Any of you, all of you, I’m out of here.” Pinkie hopped away. “I’d better go too, I got new better friends waiting for me at the farm.” Applejack said as she walked away. “Yeah, I’m sick of you losers.” Fluttershy then flew away as Rarity was pushing her rock on home. “Fine, leave, see if I care, with friends like you…who needs….enemies.” Twilgiht hung her head. Something inside Nova told him to do something. All he could do was try to talk. “T-T-Twilight? You….your not giving up are you?” He watched as her color faded and became grey as well. A single tear fell down her face. “Twilight, not you too!” Starburst called out. He quickly rushed over to her. Nova followed. “Twilight, no, you…..you can’t just give up. There must be some way to fix this.” Nova said to try and cheer her up. “It’s no use, there’s nothing we can do, its over.” “But…but..” Starburst tried to come up with something. “So that’s it….you just…give up on your friends then?” Nova asked. Twilight stayed silent. “Fine then, come on Starburst, there’s nothing we can do.” Nova said sadly. The two walked back to their house. “But Nova, there must be something, what about you, you’re not yourself anymore.” Starburst pointed out. “I’m sorry Starburst, but we’ll just have to give up on having friends.” “GIVE UP?! But what about my friends? I’m not going to give up on them. This is our home Nova, we have to do something to help.” Nova turned to Starburst with a bit of a glare. “And what do you think we should do Starburst? That Discord is a GOD. How am I supposed to stand up against that. Besides, he knows about us being aliens, with him ruling, he said he wouldn’t care if we were here.” Starburst was practically in tears now. “So that’s it, you just going to give up too, just like that? What about Twilight, I know you care about her, what about her?” Nova softened his voice. “What about her?” “You love her Nova, but you’re going to just leave her like this? Your friends…..our friends? This is our home Nova, I don’t want to lose another one. Please Nova, you have to fight whatever that monster did to you….please.” Starburst pleaded as tears fell from his eyes. Seeing his little brother cry and plead shifted something in Nova’s heart. He just couldn’t bear to see him cry like this. “Please Nova, don’t you remember all the fun we had together, all the adventures you went on with them? You must know how much they care about us.” Memories came flooding into Nova’s mind. He was right, they did have good times. The laughs they shared, the adventures they went on. “What about the times you and the others were in danger and you always swooped in to save the day, like that time with the hydra, the time when we went to see Rainbow Dash perform at the best young flyers competition, you did so much for every pony. Please don’t just throw it away big brother.” The more Starburst went on, the more Nova realized he was right. They had been through too much to just forget it. It was like that night at the gala when he felt they all just forgot him on a whim, was he about to do the same thing? How could he, they were his friends. They cared about him, they showed concern when he was upset or hurt, just as he did for them. He was still afraid about them finding out the fact that he and his brother were aliens, but he wasn’t about to just abandon them after everything that happened between them. “Nova!” Starburst happily cried out. “Your color is back. Nova looked himself over and saw he was back to normal. “Does this mean……” Nova gave a smile to his little brother. “It does Starburst, I’m fine now, but you still need to head back to the ship and stay there, I’m going to try something to help every pony. I want you somewhere safe, stay at home and don’t leave. All right?” “But, what are you going to do?” Starburst asked worriedly. Nova kept his smile. “Don’t worry about it, just head home and stay safe all right?” “All right, please come back safe Nova.” Starburst gave Nova a hug. Nova returned it and sent him on his way. He turned back to face the town and galloped on in. “Don’t worry everypony, even if you don’t like me for what I am, I’m not about to abandon you to this monster, I’ll find some way to defeat him myself.” Nova thought as he galloped through the streets. Nova soon came upon his target, Discord. He saw the chaos god sitting on a tall chair. “DISCORD!” Nova called out. DIscored greeted Nova with a smile. “Why hello Nova, have you decided on us being friends?” “I’m here to stop you Discord.” Nova declared as he glared at Discord. Discord just laughed. “AH HA HA HA HA HA, oh you must be joking, do you really think you stand a chance agains me?” “Maybe not, but I’m not going to let you torment these ponies for your own amusment!” “And tell me Nova, why help these ponies if they would rather not have you around because of where you come from. Do you really think they want to be friends with you when they see you like this.” Discord said as he snapped his eagle claw and made Nova’s necklace disappear from his neck and into Discord’s claws. Nova’s alien form was now clear before Discord. “HEY! GIVE THAT BACK!” “If you’re so sure the others won’t care, then let me keep it.” “It’s not about whether or not they’ll care about what I look like, it’s about doing what’s right. They may not like the fact that I’m an alien, but we’ve been through too much for me to just abandon them. I don’t know what I can do against you, but I have to try something. So give me back my necklace and face me!” “Hmpf, your really set on this aren’t you? Fine, have it your way.” Discord said with a dangerous tone. In a flash, Nova’s necklace was back on him and he was in his pony disguise again with his necklace hiding itself. Nova quickly zapped in his wings, figuring they would come in handy. “All right you sorry excuse of a pony. Let’s see what you got.” “Go ahead then, I’m in a good mood, so I’ll let you make the first move.” Nova focused a large amount of magic in his disguised horn and fired a yellow bolt right at Discord. Discord yawned as it came sailing at him. The bolt struck and caused an explosion that kicked up dust. “HAH, take that you creep!” Nova called, feeling triumphant. The dust soon settled and Discord was still standing there, but he was wearing Egyptian like clothing. “Ooh, you can make a sandstorm, I’m so scared.” Discord said mockingly. “Did you really think it would be that easy?” “I did hope so yes.” “My turn.” Discord formed a ball of pure chaotic magic in his lion paw. He threw it at Nova. Nova quickly jumped up into the air and avoided it just as it hit the ground and kicked up dust in an explosion that threw Nova for a loop. He was spinning in mid-air for a bit before he regained his balance. “Whoa, that was close.” “Not close enough.” Discord said happily from behind Nova. Nova turned just in time to see an eagle claw swipe at him. He managed to duck in time and took off flying. “Fly as fast as you like, you can’t hide from me little alien!” Discord called after Nova. Nova ducked and weaved behind buildings, trying to lose Discord so he could hope to gain the element of surprise. “Come on, think, there has to be some way to lose this god.” Nova quickly veered into an ally way and quickly teleported away to another spot on the roof of one of the buildings that made up the ally. Discord veered into the ally a little too late. “Where are you little green martian, I know you’re here somewhere.” Discord sang out. “UP HERE!” Nova called as he dove down, landed on Discord’s back, and wrapped his hooves around his neck. “I got you now.” “Oh really?” Discord questioned as he disappeared in a flash. Nova was left to fall to the floor. “You really aren’t that bright are you?” Nova smirked. “Brighter than you think, look up.” Discord cocked an eyebrow and saw a large orb of magic above him coming down at high speed. Nova had managed to quickly conjure a sphere of pure magic just above where he was hiding. The orb came crashing down on Discord with an even bigger explosion then the last one Nova caused. Nova covered his eyes from the rushing dust that whisked past him. Once the dust settled, Nova looked up at where Discord was and saw he was gone. “No way, Did I do it? HAH, I can’t believe it.” “Wrong again my friend.” Discord’s voice sounded from behind. Nova turned and saw a lion paw swipe at him, knocking him back hard, so hard he went right through the wall of a nearby house. Nova groaned in pain. “Ugh, ow.” “You really are a fool, you actually thought you could take me on, how funny. Maybe I’ll keep you as a pet.” “DISCORD!” Twilight’s voice sounded out. Discord turned from Nova to face the caller. “Well, well, look who’s back.” Nova managed to pick himself up and carefully walked over to the hole he had made. He saw all six of the mares he had come to know standing before Discord with their elements of harmony, and they didn’t look grey. They were in their full color. Nova smiled weakly when he saw this, he knew what that meant when he went through the same thing. The girls were themselves again. “It’s over for you Discord, for real this time.” Twilight called out. “HAH, as if, you ponies just don’t….wait…something’s different.” Discord paused. He took notice that they were colorful. “No, it can’t be. How did you….” He was interrupted as the six girls activated their elements. They each started shooting off shapes from their necklaces. “NO! I won’t let this happen again!” Discord cried in anger. He fired a powerful orb of his chaotic magic at the ground just in front of them. The blast was enough to throw them back and cancel their attack. Discord laughed. “AH HA HA HA, YOU FOOLS! Even if you can use the elements, you still need time to charge it up. I’m not about to give you that time.” Nova looked on worried. The girls groaned as they picked themselves up. Nova may not be able to fight this god of chaos, but he felt there was something he could do though…..give them the time they needed. He quickly sprang from the hole and rushed over to them. “GIRLS, are you all right?” He asked. “Nova, you’re here.” Twilight said happily but weakly. “Of course I am, I may not be an element bearer, but I have to do something to help.” “Glad ta see ya ok partner.” Applejack said with a smile. “Nova, we were worried about you.” Fluttershy stated. “We tried to come find you at your place to help you the way Twilight helped us.” Rarity pointed out. “But we found Starburst there and he told us you were fine.” Rainbow followed up. “So we figured since you were ok, we could defeat Discord first and then look for you, but your brother said you were going to try and stop him yourself.” Pinkie Pie chirped in. Twilight finished up. “What were you thinking trying to take on Discord on your own?” “Hey, I had to do something, I thought you all had given up. So after my little brother helped me come to my senses, I figured I had to do something.” Nova finished with a smile. “I’m glad to see you all ok.” “Same here.” Twilight gave a smile. “Oh gag, puh-lease, give me a break.” Discord interrupted. “Do you really think you can make adifference? Your all just a bunch of ponies.” Nova glared at Discord as he spoke to the girls. “How long do you need to charge up the elements of harmony?” He asked them. “Just a few seconds, why?” Twilight asked. He looked back at them with a smile. “Because I’m going to give you that few seconds.” “OH no you’re not.” Discord disagreed. He started charging up his magic. Nova stood his ground. He quickly erected a large barrier around them. “NOW, start charging them!” “But Nova, what about…” Twilight tried to say. Nova cut her off. “I’ll be fine, just do it…NOW!” The girls all stood up and started charging their elements. Discord fired his magic as a bean at Nova’s shield. “Godess galea, grant me strength.” Nova prayed internally. Discord’s beam made contact. Nova grunted at the impact, but held strong. Right away, though, his shield had a few cracks in it. The girls elements were charging up and getting ready to fire. Nova was sweating as he tried hard to keep his shield up so the girls could do their thing. With each passing moment, more and more cracks formed in Nova’s shield. He gritted his teeth as he struggled to keep it up as long as possible. As all this was happening, Nova felt a tingle as well inside, something appeared around his neck, he could feel magical energy flow through him and join with the girls, he stayed focused on his task though, keeping up his shield. Finally, it was ready. Time seemed to slow down for Nova. The girls finally fired off the elements of harmony. A double helix rainbow shot from all the ponies. Nova’s shield shattered at that exact moment and flung him backwards, sending him skidding along the ground under where the girls were floating. Discord saw the single giant rainbow come at him. He cried in defeat. “NOOOOOOOOOO!” Nova slid with his eyes closed and in pain. He was exhausted after his feat. He managed to open his eyes and smiled as he saw the elements strike Discord and turn him to stone again. After that, the world went white. Nova had to close his eyes again. After a moment, Nova felt he could open them again. He weakly got up from his side and sat up on his haunches. “Oh, wow, those elements really pack a punch.” He commented to himself. He then heard some sparking coming from under him. He looked down and saw a few familiar things on the ground in front of him. High tech small mechanical parts. “What…what are…” A few more pieces fell on the ground in his view. “Oh no.” He quickly lifted his necklace and saw what he was afraid of. His holo emitter was broken. The center of the device was busted open and wires were hanging out as it sparked. He also noticed another necklace around his neck. It was gold like the other necklaces the girls had, but the gem at the center was shaped like one of the gems of his cutie mark and was colored green, the same shade as his coat. He ignored that for now because of the more pressing matter that his holo emitter was busted. “No, no no no NO! I can’t let them see me like this. If I do……” “Nova?” An all too familiar shy voice spoke up. “Is that….you?” Nova looked up from his broken metal necklace and saw all the girls looking at him curiously, except for Applejack. “Nova…..is that….I mean….what?” Twilight tried to say. “Whoa, Nova, what….what happened to you?” Dash questioned. “I…..I….” Nova started feeling very afraid now. “Well…um…you see….” “NOVA!” Another familiar voice called out. Nova looked to his left and saw Starburst running up to him. “Starburst, what are you doing here, I thought I told you to stay in the ship.” “I’m sorry Nova, but there was this bright flash of light and I got scared so I had to come find you and…..Nova, you’re not wearing your disguise.” Starburst finally noticed. “Ship, disguise, what in Equestria is going on here?” Rarity questioned. Nova quickly turned his attention back to the girls. This was it, they had seen his true form, they were going to do who knows what to him and his brother, his worst fear was coming to life. “Nova, is that really you? What….what are you?” Twilight questioned. Nova felt tears form in his eyes. He closed them, then quickly used his magic to lift Starburst on his back, ripped both necklaces off, and took off galloping. He galloped past the girls as he ran. “Nova wait!” Twilight called after him, but he didn’t’ stop. “Nova, what are you doing?” Starburst questioned. “I’m sorry Starburst, but they saw me like this, it’s over, we….we have to leave now.” “But….I thought….what about our friends?” Starburst said worriedly. “I’m sorry Starburst, but we have to leave.” Starburst grew sadder at this news. “But….but….no….Nova, I thought that.....weren’t you….” Starburst couldn’t finish his sentence. He looked back at the mares chasing him and Nova sadly. He took off his own necklace to show his own form and tossed it. “Good bye Applebloom, Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo, I’ll never forget you.” He said sadly and quietly to himself. Rainbow Dash zoomed ahead of Nova and landed in front of him. “Nova, stop, we just want….” She didn’t get to finish her sentence as Nova just side stepped her and kept going. She tried again. “Nova, just stop and….” Again she didn’t get to finish. This time, Nova just teleported past her. Rainbow gave up trying to stop him herself. She flew just above the others as they all chased after him. “NOVA, Please just stop, what’s wrong?!” Twilight called after him. “Nova, get back here, it’ll be all right, I swear!” Applejack called. Nova kept running. He finally reached his house. The door flew open and Nova and Starburst went inside, the door slamming shut behind them. “Computer, deactivate all cloaking and prepare for departure.” All the comforts of home that made the inside of the ship look like a normal house faded out. Nova went up to the console at the front of the ship and started up the engines. Starburst just sat at the center of the ship in sadness as he hung his head and cried. Outside, the girls just got to Nova’s house when the door shut closed. They were about to approach it when the façade of the house faded out and revealed a large metal craft the likes of which no pony had ever seen. The girls stood there in awe. “What in the name of Equestria is that!?” Rarity asked. Just after she asked that, the ship roared to life. The two fins at the back letting off a light blue glow. The air was being kicked up as the grass was blown about, the ponies had their manes blowing about as well from the ship starting up. Before their eyes, the ship lifted up into the air, off the ground and continued to move up to the atmosphere of their world. This was happening, Nova was leaving them, never to be seen again. One of the engines suddenly started flickering and sputtering, the ship started moving clumsily and rocked a bit. Then both engines suddenly shut off. The whole ship crashed onto the ground with a loud thud that shook the ground under the mares hooves. “QUASARS!” Nova’s voice was heard outside shouting from the inside. Inside the ship, Nova was frantically working the controls, trying to get the ship to fly. “Come on, come on, don’t fizzle out on me now….ugh COME ON YOU HUNK OF PLATUM!” “Nova, what’s wrong? Why won’t it fly?” Starburst questioned. “Great, there must be something wrong with the engine.” Nova guessed. He quickly made for the back of the ship, walking past his bedroom, past the holo-deck, all the way to the back of the ship where the engine was. Starburst followed. Upon opening the door to the small engine room, smoke emerged, causing the two to cough. “*Cough, cough* By the galaxies, that is not a good sign.” In the room were two large cylindrical metal objects with buttons and readouts on one end. Nova made his way to the side of the right one and looked at it carefully. He used his magic to open a panel on the side and looked inside. “QUASARS this is bad.” Nova said in a bit of a panic. “What is it Nova? What’s wrong?” “The energy converter is fried, it’s useless for flight now, we’re……we’re stuck here.” “So, maybe that’s a good thing. Nova, don’t you remember, the girls won’t….” Starbursts sentence was cut off by a metallic banging. “Hello? Nova? Please come out, let’s talk about this.” Twilight’s voice once again was calling out to him. “Come on Nova, what’s wrong, what happened?” Rainbow Dash’s voice called. “Nova dear, please just tell us what’s wrong, we can help you.” Rarity was heard. “Nova, just talk to them everything will be fine, you’ll see.” Starburst tried to reason. Nova gave a defeated sigh. “*Sigh* So this is it then, time to face the music. Starburst, just stay behind me ok. Stay low and quiet and let me do the talking.” “But….” Nova gave Starburst a look that shut him up. “Come on Nova, we know you’re in there, please come out!” Pinkie called out. Nova made his way back to the main part of the ship and went to the door. He took in a deep breath and gave a stony expression before opening it. The door slid to the side, when it did, he saw all the girls, but Applejack, gasp in surprise. Twilight stepped forward first. “Nova, what’s going on, what happened to you?” “All right, if you’re going to do anything to us, then let it be me that receives whatever is going to happen, just leave my little brother alone. Please, he deserves a good life here.” “What are you talking about, and what’s going on Nova?” Dash questioned. “Nova, your kind of scaring us.” Fluttershy voiced. “Nova, just tell them already, don’t ya think it’s a little late ta be keeping secrets now?” Applejack questioned. “Fine, you all might as well come inside and hear the full story.” Nova invited them all in. The ponies all looked on in wonder at what they saw, the ship seemed so high tech and amazing. “Wow, look at this, so….is this some kind of ship?” Dash asked. “I think that much is clear RD.” Applejack pointed out. “OOH, what’s this thing do?” Pinkie questioned as she eyed the controls for the ship. Before she could push any buttons, nova used his magic to pull her back from the controls. “DON’T….touch anything. Just sit there and let me tell you all what I have to say.” The six girls gathered around Nova. “Computer, activate external cloak.” There was a beeping. The outside of the ship went back to looking like a house again. “What just happened?” Fluttershy asked. “I reactivated the ship’s cloak so no pony else will see the ship. Now can I please just get on with my story?” Nova asked feeling a little irritated. Silence fell. “Computer, deactivate lights.” The lights shut off and the room became dark. Nova lit up his antennae and the room was soon filled with tiny white points of light, and pink, blue and red gasses. The room had some illumination thanks to the star like points. “Ooohhh.” They all expressed. “What is all this?” Twilight questioned. “Space.” Nova simply stated. Comets and shooting stars were seen zipping by them with a whoosh and plantes were seen floating around. One planet in particular took center stage and grew in size for all of them to see. “This is your world, Equis.” Nova stated as he used his magic to tell his story. “This is where we are now. And this…” Nova trailed off as the planet shrunk down a bit and zoomed out of view, stars and planets zipped by to one side at high speed. They soon started to slow down and came to a stop until another planet was at the center. “This is where me and my little brother came from, Equinia. We came from this world to find a new home.” “So, you two are aliens?” Rarity questioned. “Yes, we are. Let me finish. Now then. My kind were a peaceful race, we had made great strides in magic and technology, managing to find a way to combine the two. This lead to great prosperity for us. A long time ago, our world was met with a terrible disaster. The space exploration division of our science research center made a breakthrough in warp travel. That is when you can travel through space a great distance in a very short amount of time, almost instantaneously. My kind, Equinians we called ourselves, had built a warp gate to test. It was made floating a good distance away from our world. A ship was going to travel through it with the supplies to build another one on the other side to connect two.” “It took years to build. By the time it was done, I was still young and my little brother had just been born. It was an exciting day for all of us, the places we could go to and explore, the things we could learn. Everyone was excited about it. They opened the gate, but as soon as it did, something came through. A large asteroid emerged from the gate. Panic ensued, it was just so large there was no stopping it, it was headed right for our planet. At the time, I was at home watching my little brother while my parents were helping at the center. When I saw the asteroid on the viewer, I was frightened. I soon got a call from mom and dad, they told me to head to the nearest escape ship and leave.” “I asked them to hurry back home, but they said there wasn’t enough time. I begged and pleaded for them to come, but they just told me to take Starburst and leave. I finally caved. I grabbed Starburst up as he was crying, I think the screaming we heard outside scared him. I ran to the teleportar and had it send me to the nearest emergency evacuation center. I quickly ran into the first ship I could find and started it up as best I could. We were taught at a young age how to work the emergency ships in case of situations like this. The ship hummed to life, and I left.” “After we had gotten a good distance away from the planet, I chanced a look back at my home just in time to see the asteroid strike it and totally decimate the planet. I had also managed to see a great number of escape ships leaving the planet before it hit. My home was lost, our race scattered to the stars, my parents gone, and me and my brother were all alone, drifting through space trying to find a home for ourselves. I searched for years while taking care of my little brother, teaching him what I could with the help of the ships computer. Life on the ship was all he knew……until we found this world.” Nova dismissed his magic and the lights came on. “So here we are, homeless wanderers of the stars looking for a home. I didn’t tell you about all this because I was afraid if you found out, you all might panic, that you would do something bad to us so we would have to leave this world and go back to the loneliness of space. All we want is a home, nothing more.” As Nova told his story, Starburst just sat quietly and close to his big brother. “So…..what now, we’re stuck here so we can’t just leave. If you’re going to do something, do it to me, but leave Starburst alone…..please.” The girls were silent for a while. Nova had hung his head and closed his eyes at this point. Twilight walked up to him, used her hoof to gently lift Nova’s head to look at her. Nova opened his eyes and looked into hers. “Nova, we won’t say anything to anypony, I promise.” Nova’s eyes went wide with a bit of surprise. “You….so, that means…….Oh I’m such a BLARG HEAD, HOW COULD I BE SO STUPID!?” Nova cursed himself. “IDIOT IDIOT IDIOT!” He banged his head with a hoof. “Nova calm down, you’re hurting yourself.” Fluttershy said with worry. “Nova, please calm down, what’s wrong?” Rarity asked. “I let that snake Discord get in my head, that’s what! After the warning I gave you all, I didn’t listen to my own advice. I’m so STUPID! I was finally ready to tell you all today too until HE showed up. I let that worg slither get to me and let myself believe that stupid lie he showed me.” “Blarg head?” Dash questioned. “Worg slither?” Applejack also questioned. Nova looked at them. “Sorry, words from my world. I’m really sorry for worrying you all. It’s just……I just didn’t want to have to go back to the cold dark of space again. I want Starburst to have a good life here. And………..I’m….I’m sorry for not telling you all this sooner. You can understand can’t you?” They all gave him a smile. Twilight gave Nova the brightest. “Of course we do, you were afraid, it’s all right.” Nova gained a hopeful smile. “And you all really don’t care that we’re aliens, or that I look like this?” Twilight just smirked. She moved in close and gave Nova a good long kiss on the lips. “Ewe.” Starburst expressed as he stuck out his tongue. Twilight pulled back leaving a goofy grin on Nova’s face. “Well, guess that answers that question.” Nova stated. “If anything, I think your eyes are cute.” Twilight stated. Nova turned to Applejack. “Applejack, thanks for keeping my secret for so long, and again, I’m sorry for burdening you with it.” Applejack gave Nova a smile. “Shoot, like I said, ain’t no big deal. I’m just glad you finally let it out.” “Although…” Rarity interrupted. “It’s a real shame, the circumstances that brought you here. Losing your home and family like that. It must have been dreadful.” The girls then looked to Nova with a bit of sadness. “So that’s how we lost our home Nova?” Starburst asked. “I’m sorry for not telling you Starburst, I was hoping to wait till you were older, but given the circumstances…….well, now you know.” “well don’t worry Nova, I think it’s cool, you must have all kinds of cool sciency stuff.” Dash pointed out. “We do, you should see the holo deck.” Starburst said excitedly. “The what now?” Pinkie questioned. Nova chuckled. “Come on, I’ll show you.” Nova felt such relief upon realizing his fears of rejection were unfounded. They accepted him, and to top it off, Twilight still liked him….no, he felt love in that kiss. But then thoughts of that necklace came to mind. “Oh Nova, I almost forgot.” Twilight said to him. “You left this behind.” Twilight levitated the necklace Nova had mysteriously gained in front of him. “Oh yeah, where did it come from?” “I don’t know, perhaps……..OH MY GOSH, Celestia, she’s probably wondering where we are, she’ll want to thank us for stopping Discord. Maybe she can tell you more about your element of harmony too and what it represents.” “So…..it is an element of harmony?” Nova asked. “I know it is, as we were using them, I felt another power join with ours to turn Discord to stone, you gained an element and it added its power to defeat him.” “This….is so…..GREAT!” Pinkie cheered. “Nova, you’re an element bearer now!” “Oh, congratulations Nova.” Rarity said. “Way to go dude.” Rainbow added in. “oh my, I’m so happy for you Nova.” Fluttershy said. Nova took the necklace in his own hooves and looked at it. “So…I’m part of the elements of harmony now? Wow…I….I don’t know what to say…..except, what element is it? What do I represent?” “Reason.” Twilight simply stated.