//------------------------------// // Bonus: An Unexpected Gift // Story: My Little Pony, Friendship is Out of This World // by Robobrony //------------------------------// BONUS: An Unexpected Gift After Nova finally let the girls in on his and Starbursts secret, they later told Spike as well. Nova and Starburst used their magic to put up their pony disguises to find their holo emitters again. Starburst was able to find his quickly, Nova soon found his and took it back to his ship for a quick repair. He would still need it for when he went to see the princess. Celestia did eventually show up after Discord’s defeat wondering why the group didn’t come back to the castle right away after Discord was trapped in stone again. She was also in awe to learn that Nova now held an element of harmony. She was clueless as to how such a thing could happen, but was glad none the less. There was a big celebration in honor of their victory and Celestia had a new window put into the castle, one that depicted the seven ponies defeating the god of chaos. After the party, Nova said he still felt nervous about letting others in on his secret, especially Celestia. He wasn’t afraid of her anymore, but he still didn’t want to take any chances. He still felt it would be nice to tell others and just hope for the best, so he decided he would try it, but not right away. Once all was said and done after the party, the group of eight plus one dragon headed back to Ponyville, the sun was setting and it would be time for bed when they got back home. They arrived at the station and Nova was carrying a tired Starburst on his back while Twilight was carrying a tired Spike on hers. They both shared a brief laugh at this and said their goodnights to each other with a kiss. Nova walked to his house/ship and made his way inside. He removed their necklaces that hid their alien forms and placed them on the food synthesizer table, then went to their room where Nova tucked Starburst in. “Good night little brother, sweet dreams.” He said softly to Starburst. Nova climbed into his bed and drifted off to sleep. Nova found himself floating in a dark starry field with planets slowly moving about. “What the galaxies….hello!” He called out, only for his voice to echo. “Hello!” He tried again. One planet slowly moved in front of him, blocking his view of the area in front of him. The planet continued on and revealed an awe inspiring sight. “By the galaxies, it can’t be.” Nova said to himself. “Greetings my little equinian.” A soft comforting feminine voice spoke. Before Nova’s eyes was a giant creature he never thought he’d see. “The great goddess Galea, I don’t believe it.” The goddess Galea was before him. She had large purple eyes that sparkled like the stars, a grey coat and a pale grey mane, some of it was braided and had gold trinkets set in them to hold the braids. She wore a black robe with gold swirls and trimming over a blue robe that had gold lining it as well. Her mane came down and covered her right eye. She also wore a helmet made of gold an steel with fancy designs etched into it. The helmet was topped with a fan set in a gold and metal thing that went across the top of the helmet. There was a groove in the black fibers of the fan where a planet just hovered there. Other planets hovered around her as well. Upon realizing who he was in the presence of, Nova quickly sat on his haunches and placed the bottom of his front hooves together, bowed his head and closed his eyes. “I am not worthy, I am a worshiper, I do not deserve such honor.” The goddess smiled down at him. “Look upon me young Nova, you are worthy, please, lift your head so we may speak.” Nova slowly lifted his head and opened his eyes, keeping his hooves together. “My goddess, wh-what is going on, why have you graced me with your presence? And how do you know my name?” The goddess Galea kept her smile as she began. “I know the names of all my faithful followers my dear Nova. I have come before you to let you know you have not been abandoned by your goddess.” Nova bowed his head again. “My lady, I never thought that. Sure me and my brother have lost our home and have been wandering through space, but I never thought you had abandoned me.” Nova raised his head again and looked up at her. “I am glad to hear that, just know that I feel terrible for what happened to you and yours. If I could undo the damage, I would, but sadly, I cannot turn back time. Even with all my power, I cannot help. Nor was I able to stop the meteor from destroying your world. As a goddess, I am forbidden from directly interfering with your worlds events. Your home may be lost, but I see you have found a new one. You are showing great courage in your endeavors. I have been watching you for some time and I am pleased at what I have seen.” Nova bowed again. “I thank you for your praises mistress Galea. I am not worthy.” “Nova, you need not bow, please keep your head up so we may talk.” Nova did as he was told, he lifted his head and stood up on all fours. “My goddess, why have you come before me like this? If I may ask.” Nova asked nervously. The mighty goddess smiled at him. “Even though I am forbidden from directly interfering with events that affect your world, it is now gone, I am free to interfere to help you and yours. I helped guid your ship to the world you now find yourself on.” “You…..you did? You helped us find this world?” “I did, you have a great destiny ahead of you, it was intertwined with the fate of the six creatures you now call friends. You are important to them, you have been since the day you saw the sonic rainboom the one known as Rainbow Dash created. This world will need you as much as it will need the other six. Many challenges still lie ahead of you. I know you have the courage to face them and triumph. As a reward for such courage and an apology on my part, I have a gift for you.” “My goddess, you need not give me anything, nor do you have anything to apologize for. I am honored to merely be in your presence.” Nova smiled. “Regardless, I do wish to give you something, you will find it on the day you awaken after our talk, you will know it when you see it. Take care Nova, as I said, there are still many challenges that lie ahead of you. I know you can handle it. I have faith in you, just as you have faith in me. Farewell my little Equinian, until we meet again.” With that, the planets around her started to swirl about her form. She closed her eyes and the stars and planets moved back with her away from Nova, leaving him in total blackness. “My lady, wait!” Nova tried to call out to her, but she was gone. Nova soon saw a light appear before him, it grew larger and so bright, Nova had to shield his eyes. “What the….” Nova’s eyes fluttered open as he lay in his bed. He sat up and yawned as he stretched his forelegs. “By the stars, what happned last night….wait…..*Gasp* Goddess Galea, she came to me last night.” Nova remembered. “I can’t believe it.” “*Yawn* what’s going on big brother?” Starburst asked sleepily as he just woke up. Nova looked to his brother. “Starburst, you’re not going to believe this, the great goddess Galea came to me in a dream. She spoke to me Starburst!” Starburst cocked an eyebrow. “She did? Are you sure?” “Starburst, why would I lie about something like that? I’m telling you it was her. She spoke to me last night and said she had a gift for me.” “Nova, are you feeling all right?” Nova went into the full explanation of what he witnessed to Starburst. Once he was done, Starburst was in shock. “Really, she actually came to you and said all that? Wow, Nova, this is amazing, she really is looking out for us.” He said with a smile. “I know. But I’m still wondering what this gift is she mentioned.” Nova mused. “Well, we’ll just have to wait won’t we, you said she told you you’ll know it when you see it right?” Nova smiled. “Right, come on, let’s have some breakfast and head out for the day.” Starburst jumped out of bed. “You bet big brother.” The two headed out to their living room and had their breakfast. Tummies full, they were now ready to meet the day. “So what are we going to do first Nova?” Starburst asked happily. “Let’s head to the park for a bit. We can fly that kite again.” “All right, I like flying it.” Starburst happily retrieved the kite from their bedroom closet and came back carrying it in his magic. “Ready to go.” Nova placed his and Starburst’s necklaces on and headed out. Out in Ponyville, two unicorns, a mare and a stallion, were looking around town with a bit of confusion and a bit of worry. “I don’t know about this dear, what if we get caught?” The mare asked. She had a red coat and a pink mane and tail with a shining star for a cutie mark said. “Don’t worry dear, we’ll be fine, we just have to be careful not to let on we’re not from around here. Trust me.” The stallion responded. He had a dark blue coat and a light blue mane and tail with a large telescope for a cutie marke. “Cosmos, are you sure they’re here? I don’t want to get my hopes up only for them to be dashed.” The mare said with worry. “Starla, I’m telling you, I have a good feeling about this, something is telling me we’ll find them here.” The stallion said. “I don’t know how, but I just know it, we just have to look.” “I hope your right Cosmos. I really hope we find them, it’s been so long though, how will we recognize them, what if they’re disguised as one of these ponies like us and we can’t find them?” Starla started to worry. “Starla,calm down. We’ll find them, they may be wearing a disguise like us, but I bet Nova hasn’t hidden his skill sign. We’ll know him from that. Besides, even if he were hiding it, do you mean to say you won’t recognize your own son.” Cosmos said with a smirk. Starla couldn’t help but smile back. “Hm hm, I suppose your right.” The two continued on through the town searching for the two ponies they came to find. Nova and Starburst were smiling as they walked with Starburst carrying the kite in his right foreleg. They walked through town past the two new unicorns. The two unicorns, Starla and Cosmos, took notice of the two. Starla pointed them out to her husband. “Cosmos, LOOK, that sign on his flank.” “No, it can’t be…..can it?” Cosmos asked. “Cosmos, it’s been years since we last saw our sons. Surely they’ll have grown up a bit, I know that sign anywhere, and those eyes. They may not look like it, but I’m positive that’s them.” Starla started tearing up. We….we found them, didn’t we Cosmos.” Cosmos was still a little skeptical. “Starla, calm down, it may be them, but it could just be a coincidence that that stallion has the same mark as our son. We’ll talk to those two but lets not get ahead of ourselves.” “Cosmos, I’m telling you that’s them!” Starla insisted. “You said I would know my own sons when I saw them? Well I saw them, I’m telling you that’s them.” “Starla, please, let’s at least make sure before we start celebrating.” Cosmos said gently. Starla caved. “Fine, but I’m telling you that’s them.” The couple went off in the direction Nova and Starburst walked off in. The two brothers eventually arrived at the park, ready to fly their kite. “All right, you ready Starburst?” “You bet Nova.” Starburst said with a big smile. “Excuse me, sorry to bother you.” Cosmos called out. Nova turned to face the couple approaching from behind them. “Yes, can I help you?” Nova asked nicely. Cosmos started calmly, Starla was doing her best to keep calm and not burst out into a crying hugging fit. “Sorry to bother you, but I’m just curious about your mark there.” Nova cocked an eyebrow at the question. “Why would you be curious about my mark?” “It’s just….an interesting one and I was wondering what your talent is that earned you that mark.” Nova kept his confused look. Starburst was a little concerned as well as he moved closer to Nova. “Well, I have a talent for shaping gems and placing enchantments on them for certain effects. Why do you ask?” “Did you earn it after……..making a gem with a flaming rainbow ring at the center?” Nova got even more suspicious. “How did you know that?” He asked carefully. Starla couldn’t stay silent anymore. “Is your name Nova and the little one Starburst?” “All right, who are you two, what is this about?” Nova asked almost angrily. “It….it is you isn’t it.” Starla said with a smile and tears in her eyes. “NOVA!” She cried. “MY BABY BOY!” She lept at him and hugged him feircly. “What the….what’s going on here?” Nova asked as he struggled to free himself from the grip of this strange mare. “Let go of me!” Nova managed to push her off him. “Who are you two?!” “Nova, what’s going on?” Starburst asked scared. Starla started again. “Nova, it’s me, your mother. I know I don’t look like it right now but I’m telling the truth. Look at this.” She said as she turned to show Nova her flank and skill sign. Nova looked carfully at it. “No……it can’t be…..I’d know that sign anywhere, but….you…..mom? Is it really you?” Nova said in disbelief. He started at her with a slack jaw. “It is son, it’s me, your mom, and this is your dad.” She said as she indicated to the stallion now showing his mark. “Dad? Is it really you?” “It is son, it’s really good to see you again after so long.” Cosmos said. “NOVA!” Starla called again as she hugged him again. Nova was still in shock to do anything. “Mom, it….it is you….I don’t believe it.” Tears started forming in his eyes as he hugged back. A smile started forming on his face. “Mom….you’re really here.” She broke their hug and turned her attention to Starburst who was looking confused and afraid. “Starburst, my little baby, I missed you so much.” She said as she approached him. Starburst just backed off. “Nova, what’s going on? Who are they?” “Starburst, it’s your mom.” Starla said. Nova walked over to Starburst. “Starburst, it’s our mom and dad, they found us!” Starburst first looked up at Nova, then turned to the two of them. “Our parents?” He asked. “Yes Starburst, I missed you so much. WE missed you.” Something deep within Starbursts mind recognized the sweet sound of the mare’s voice. It sounded so familiar, like a dream from long ago, a wonderful dream that one didn’t want to wake up from. Starburst carefully walked up to the mare and looked her in the eyes. Starla looked backed with tears and a smile. “……mom, is it really you.” “It is Starburst, after all these years, I finally found you, my precious baby boy.” Starla said. “Mom?” Starburst said as tears started forming in his eyes. Starburst suddenly leapt up at her and wrapped his hooves around her neck. “MOM!” Starburst cried. “My baby!” Starla said as she hugged back crying. Nova walked up to Cosmos. “Dad, I don’t believe it, you found us.” He said as they shared a hug with tears in Nova’s eyes. “I can’t believe you’re here.” Before Nova knew it, Starla had made her way over to them with Starburst and gripped him in a hug as well. “My boys, I’m so happy to finally see you again.” “It’s good to see you too sons.” Cosmos stated. “DAD!” Starburst cried out. “You’re really here!” The four just held their family hug for a good long while with tears of happiness. After holding their embrace for what seemed like hours, they finally broke it and Nova started. “Mom, dad, I still can’t believe it. How did you find us?” Starla smiled as she responded. “Ask your father, he’s the one that did the driving and led us here.” Cosmos then answered. “I’m not really sure myself, it’s like I just…..knew, like something was guiding me here. I can’t explain it really.” Nova then remembered his dream and his encounter with the goddess. “The goddess Galea, this must be the gift she said she would give us.” “The goddess Galea, she must have done this.” Starburst suddenly pointed out with a hop. “She’s the one that guided you here to find us.” “Goddess Galea, what do you mean son?” Starla asked. Nova went into an explanation of his encounter with their goddess again. “……So there you have it, me and Starburst think that our goddess guided you all here. You two being here just has to be that gift she mentioned.” Cosmos smiled. “Well if that’s the case, this is a gift for us too, to be reunited with our sons again.” “I just can’t get over how big you two have gotten, I missed so many years of your lives.” Starla said sadly but with a smile. Starburst smiled up at Starla. “Don’t worry mom, Nova took real good care of me and taught me all kinds of things, he did everything to make sure I turned out ok.” “And it seems he did a fine job too. I’m so proud of you Nova.” Cosmos said to Nova. “Looks like you did do a fine job raising Starburst.” “I did what I could.” Nova said proudly. “Nova, there you are, we’ve been looking for you.” A familiar raspy voice said. Nova turned to see a sky blue coated Pegasus flying his way with five other ponies, three fillies, and a dragon coming up to him with smiles. “Girls, perfect timing, there’s a couple ponies here I am proud to introduce you to.” Nova stated. “You….know these ponies son?” Cosmos questioned. “Who are they Nova?” Fluttershy asked shyly. Nova began introductons. “Starla, Cosmos, these are some of my friends. That’s Twilight sparkle, Rarity, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, Applejack, Pinkie Pie, and Spike.” Starburst introduced his friends. “And those three there are my friends. Sweetie Belle, Applebloom, and Scootaloo.” Nova continued from there. “Girls, and dragon, I am proud to present Starla and Cosmos, our parents.” Rarity started. “It’s a pleasure to……..hold on, did you say….parents?” “Yep, its our mom and dad.” Staburst said happily. “No way, your parents?” SCootaloo cheered. “We’ll I’ll be, aint this a surprise.” Applejack said happily. “Oh my GOSH! THIS IS INCREDIBLE! We can have a huge party to celebrate! It’ll be congratulations on reuniting with your family, welcome to our planet PARTY!” Pinkie cheered. “Pinkie Pie, calm down.” Nova scolded happily. “Remember what we talked about, that secret you said you would keep.” Pinkie gave a sheepish smile. “Oops, sorry.” “Welcome to our planet? Um…wh-what do you mean?” Cosmos asked nervously. Nova walked up to his parents and began. “Mom, dad, it’s ok, they already know about me and Starburst being…..not of this planet.” Starla’s eyes widened a bit in shock. “Really, they already know?” “It’s a long story, I’ll tell you later. In fact, I have so much to tell you, and now that you’re here, we have all the time in the universe.” “OOH OOH, mom, guess what!” Starburst suddenly shouted. Starla looked to her youngest son. “What is it Starburst?” Starburst suddenly rushed over to his three friends and wrapped his hooves around them in a kind of group huddle. “Me and my friends here started a club together.” He let them go and continued. “We started a club to work on earning our cutie marks…..uh….skill signs.” He corrected himself. “Cutie marks.” Cosmos questioned. Nova explained. “The cutie marks here are the same as our skill signs, they’re earned the same way as a skill sign. “I see.” Starla said. “Yeah.” Starburst continued. “We call ourselves…..” Starburst trailed off. Every pony there covered their ears, except for the two new arrivals, in expectations of the ear assault. “THE CUTIE MARK CRUSADERS!” All for little ponies shouted. Starla and Cosmos winced at the shout. “By the stars you kids have quit the set of lungs on you.” Cosmos commented. Nova chuckled. “Yeah, they do.” “Oh, it’s so super-duper nice to meet you two, I’m glad we finally get to meet Nova’s parents, I’m Pinkie Pie, but you already knew that, I love meeting new ponies, or in this case, new aliens, welcome to our world.” Before Pinkie could go off on one of her rants, Nova shoved a hoof in her mouth. “Yes Pinkie, they’re happy to be here and meet you all.” Once Nova felt Pinkie wasn’t going to continue, he removed his hoof. “Mom, dad, before anything else happens, let me give you a bit of advice that will save you a lot of headaches when dealing with Pinkie Pie. No offense Pinkie.” Nova said to Pinkie. “None taken.” She said with a smile. Nova turned back to his parents. “Just remember this, when you see Pinkie Pie do something impossible, remember this phrase. It’s Pinkie Pie, don’t question it. It saved me a lot of headaches and Pinkie is known for doing the impossible.” “Um….ok….sure.” Cosmos stated. “I’m so proud that you’ve been doing so well for yourself here.” Starla stated. Starburst then walked up to his parents with his three friends. “It’s real nice ta meet ya mam.” Applebloom said. “Yeah, we’re glad we get to meet our friends parents.” Sweetie Belle said with a smile. “We’re real glad you all are back together now.” Scootaloo added. “Well, aren’t you all nice, thank you.” Starla said as she smiled at the three. “So son, I take it this is like a new home for you then?” Cosmos asked. Nova smiled as he looked at his parents. “It sure is dad, this world is great. It’s almost like our old planet, only it has one moon, they aren’t as technologicaly advanced as we were, and the princesses that rule this country we’re in raise the sun and moon.” Starla and Cosmos stared at their son for a bit after his last statement. “I’m sorry…..did you say princesses that raise the sun and moon?” Cosmos finally asked. “I know it’s hard to believe, but trust me, it’s very true.” “OH OH, MOM, DAD!” Starburst suddenly cried out excitedly again. Starla and Cosmos looked back to thier younger son again. “Yes Starburst, what is it?” Starla asked. “Nova has also been my magic instructor, he taught me a neat trick, watch this.” Starburst then used his magic to summon up his little wings and started buzzing around the crowd. Nova just rolled his eyes. During Starburst’s third pass, Nova managed to catch Starburst by the tail and let him buzz a bit. “Starburst, what did I tell you about using your magic in public?” At first, Starburst didn’t realize he wasn’t going anywhere until he heard Nova’s voice. He was still hovering when he looked back. “Oops, sorry Nova.” Starburst floated down and dismissed his wings. “Well I’ll be, HA HA, that’s a neat spell there son.” Cosmos said with a smile. “Great galaxies, you can summon up wings?” Starla asked surprised. “Yep, Nova taught me, he does it sometimes when he needs to hurry somewhere or if he’s hanging out with Rainbow Dash to fly around for fun. You should see him mom, he’s amazing.” Starburst chirped happily. “I’ll say he is. You should have seen this wicked move he pulled off this one time during a competition I was in. It was just as cool as my sonic rainboom.” Rainbow Dash bragged. “A sonic what now?” Cosmos questioned. “Guys, maybe they should learn the ins and outs of this world before we start going off on things like that.” Nova suggested. “And Twilight, could you step up next to me?” “Sure.” Twilight did as she was asked. “Mom, dad, another bit of good news you might like to hear. While me and Starburst were trying to make a new life for ourselves here, these six ponies were a big help, they were the first friends I made here. But none is more special to me than Twilight here, she and I are a couple.” Nova stated happily. “You….found love?” Starla questioned. “Oh, my baby boy is all grown up.” She said as tears stated to form in her eyes again with a smile. “Mom, it’s not that big a deal.” “Yes it is, I missed so much of your life and now here you are with another girl to love.” She said on the verge of sobbing. Nova went up to her and spoke softly. “Hey, it’s okay, everything turned out all right, right? You didn’t really miss much. Me and Starburst just floated around space in a ship with nothing to do but talk, learn from the ships computer and play games on the holo deck. You didn’t miss too much.” Starla suddenly wrapped Nova in a hug. “I’m so sorry Nova, me and your father should have come for you when that horrible thing happened. Please forgive us.” Nova hugged back. “Mom, it’s ok, I don’t blame you. It’ll be fine. All that matters now is that we’re back together.” Starla pulled back from Nova with a sniffle. “I’m sorry, *Sniff* I’m just so happy to be back with my babies again. And to see you all grown up like this and I couldn’t be there for you…I….I just….” “Mom, I understand, its fine, really. Come on, why don’t the four of us just take some time alone to talk and catch up huh? Would you like that?” Nova asked. Starla simply nodded. “I think that sounds like a great idea.” Cosmos agreed. Nova turned to the girls and Spike. “Guys, you don’t mind do you?” “Of course not.” Fluttershy answered. “You go and enjoy time with your family, we’ll see you later okay dear.” Rarity added. “Yeah, I imagine you all have a lot to catch up on.” Twilight then said. “We’ll see ya’ll later, we can get ta know each other better later on. Ya’ll take care now.” Applejack added. “We’ll see you later Starburst.” Sweetie Belle said. “Yeah, we’re real happy fer ya bein back with yer parents, see ya at the next crusaders meetin.” Applebloom then added. “See you later Starburst.” Scootaloo said with a smile. “Bye girls, see you later.” Starburst called after them. The girls all left so the family could have some time together. “Come on Mom, let me show you guys where me and Starburst have been staying, We’ll talk there and I can tell you everything I’ve been through, then tomorrow, I can help you two get situated with the way things work around here. It’s not that different, but there are some things you should be aware of.” Nova started leading his parents away from the park with Starburst next to him. They both couldn’t be happier to be reunited with their parents.