//------------------------------// // Chapter 1: Discovery // Story: Mending Hearts // by Ronglar //------------------------------// Chapter 1: Discovery "C'mon Twilight," Spike groaned from the library door, "we're gonna be late!" "Just a second Spike!" Twilight called from their bedroom, "I need to find my telescope!" Spike just sat down, waiting impatiently for Twilight to finally join him. On any regular night, Spike would have been fast asleep by this hour, but this was no ordinary night. To celebrate her first full year back from the moon, Princess Luna had scheduled an extraordinary meteor shower in the evening. There had been talks that it would be the most beautiful display in centuries. So naturally Twilight wanted to enjoy the night as much as she could. Even Spike was eager to see what had Twilight so exited. "Twilight…" Spike started again before hearing hoof clops down the stairs. "I'm coming, I'm coming," Twilight huffed. "That's what she said," Spike muttered under his breath as Twilight trotted down the steps. No wonder she had taken so long. It looked like she had packed her whole astronomy kit! Spike could see random scrolls and rods poking out of the overflowing bags. "Um, Twi, don't you think that's a bit much just for a stargazing trip?" said Spike, still watching Twilight intently, as if she was about to lose her balance and topple over. "This isn't just a stargazing trip Spike!" Twilight lectured, "This is the most significant meteor shower in centuries! Luna specifically hoof made this night so that…" Spike just tuned Twilight out, motioning for her to exit the library. Over the years of living with her, Spike had built up immunity to Twilight's rambling. She'd literally go on for hours about the most trivial of subjects. Building up immunity was the only way that Spike had managed to keep sane. Seeing as though Twilight wouldn't get anywhere explaining the complexities of the meteor shower to Spike, she quietly complied and briskly trotted out of the library. Spike sighed in relief, having closely avoided wasting their entire evening. He walked out the door and locked it, then quickly walked up to Twilight who was busy watching the stars. Spike looked up himself, but couldn't see much. The lights of the surrounding buildings were too much of a distraction for him to focus on anything in the sky. Twilight on the other hoof was deeply observing the sky, probably just ignoring the town lights. Even though it was late in the evening, the streets of Ponyville were alive with the sounds of clopping hooves and idle gossip. It wasn't often that there was a meteor shower, let alone one so beautiful. So everypony was taking advantage of it to stay out with friends and enjoy the beautiful weather. Spike could make out a few recognizable ponies enjoying the evening. Lyra and Bon Bon were sitting together at one of the cafes in town, enjoying celery soup and hay fries. Vinyl Scratch had put together an impromptu party in the town square, and Cheerilee was busy trying to keep up with three very energetic little fillies. "C'mon Girls! We gotta find a crashed star somewhere!" Scootaloo yelled from the front of the group. "What for!?" asked Sweetie Belle. "What do you think? To get our Cutie Marks!" Apple Bloom cheered. The three of them, Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo, were very energetic fillies hell bent on getting their cutie marks. The self-dubbed "Cutie Mark Crusaders" attempted to do as many things as quickly as possible to force their cutie marks to appear. No matter how much they were told that it wasn't possible to force things like this, the three of them just ignored it and continued on for their marks. The three of them stopped for a second, allowing Cheerilee to catch up and catch her breath. She had been unlucky enough to be talked into watching the three fillies so their respective families could enjoy the evening. Being the town school teacher meant that she was good with children, therefore it was the logical assumption to ask her first to watch the children. "Girls, could you-" Cheerilee started, only to find the fillies had started off again. "Cutie Mark Crusaders Space Rock Finders!!!" the three fillies cried in unison, much to the dismay of Cheerilee and anypony else with functioning ears within the greater equestrian area. "Girls! Could you please slow down!" Cheerilee called while attempting to catch up. Spike saw them run off to another part of Ponyville, glad that it wasn't him running after them. He'd spent time with the Cutie Mark Crusaders before, and after a single hour he had already passed out from exhaustion. He couldn't imagine how Cheerilee could still be standing, let alone running after the three. Maybe she led a double life in which she was a track star? Spike quickly brushed away the thought. "Man, poor Cheerilee. Right Twilight?" Spike looked over to find Twilight completely oblivious to the danger straight ahead. Thinking quickly, Spike, well, he didn't really do anything because he doesn't work well under pressure. "Um, Twilight, you might want to-" Spike cringed as Twilight crashed right into somepony else. "Oof, could you please watch where you're going!" the white unicorn chided as she picked herself off the ground. "I hope that- Oh, Twilight!" "I'm so sorry for bumping into you Rarity!" Twilight apologized as Spike helped her to her hooves. "Oh, it's quite alright Twilight, no harm done," Rarity breathed as she levitated a comb out of her saddlebags and began to brush her mane. Twilight began dusting herself off while Spike just watched Rarity fix herself up. Spike had a mad crush on Rarity ever since he first saw her a year ago on the eve of The Summer Sun Celebration. Even though Spike did his best to hide his feelings, he was no master spy and most of Ponyville knew of the young dragon's crush. Although he still kept hope that Rarity would accept one of his date offers, eventually. "I'm sorry Rarity, I was too engrossed in the sky to watch were I was going," Twilight apologized again. "Well, I can understand why," Rarity said while turning her head skyward, "The sky tonight is absolutely ravishing." Twilight and Rarity stood there for a few seconds, observing the night sky until Spike started shooing them along. He narrowly avoided wasting the night earlier, so he wasn't going to allow them another chance. "Let's go you two, we should have a much better view once we're outside of the town," Spike informed the two. "Alright, alright. We're moving Spike, calm down," Twilight grumbled. So the three friends resumed their walk to the fields south of Ponyville, Twilight and Rarity partaking in idle chitchat with Spike bringing up the rear. He never understood how fillies and mares could talk on and on and on about the stupidest things. He himself could talk for a few minutes with Snips and Snails before getting bored and wanting to do something else. How somepony could talk for hours on end baffled him. "Twilight, I must thank you for convincing me to join you girls this evening," Rarity said. "Oh? How come?" "Well as you know I've been working very hard lately to fill a large order from Canterlot, and something like this is just what I needed to relax for an evening." "Well, you're very welcome Rarity," Twilight said, "it's always nice to have company when stargazing, especially on a night this beautiful.” "I'm just glad that I was able to find someone to watch after Sweetie Belle," Rarity sighed. "Oh? You actually found somepony to look after her?" Twilight asked, skeptical of the unicorn's claim. "Yes, luckily for me Cheerilee was free this evening and agreed to supervise Sweetie Belle, Apple Bloom and Scootaloo," Rarity explained. "Wow. Poor Cheerilee," Twilight said, feeling sorry for the earth pony. "Hey!" Spike exclaimed, "That's what I said!" Spike grumbled as he saw that Twilight and Rarity had already moved onto talking about something else. "Girls. How do they work?" As the group started nearing the edge of Ponyville, Twilight could make out the rest of their friends camped out on a hill under a large oak tree. Applejack was opening a basket of food with Pinkie Pie eagerly awaiting delicious apply-goodness a few feet away. Fluttershy was against the tree trying unsuccessfully to get her pet rabbit Angel to eat a carrot and Rainbow Dash was relaxing on one of the larger branches of the tree. "Hi girls!" Twilight called as they walked up the hill. "Good evening, everypony," Rarity echoed right afterwards. Applejack waved a hello and Rainbow just nodded in acknowledgment. Fluttershy was still too busy working with a very uncooperative rabbit. "What's this now?" Spike sniffed, walking right up to Pinkie, "Are those pies I'm smelling?" "Yup! They sure are Spiky!" Pinkie giggled with her trademark enthusiasm, "Applejack made them for us earlier today, and I helped!" Spike and Pinkie's eyes widened and lips grew into gigantic smiles as Applejack took out the first pie. They had never seen something so beautiful, even taking the sky above them into consideration. Well technically they had seen this beauty whenever Applejack made a specialty pie for some kind of occasion. Only a stern glare from the farmer kept the two from lunging at her for it. "Applejack, could you scooch over a tad?" Rarity asked while pulling something out from her saddlebags. "Sure, but for wha- Whoa!" Applejack replied as Rarity used her magic to spread out a large rug over a portion of the hill. "There we go!" Rarity said while happily taking a seat. "Was that really necessary? Ah mean is the grass not good 'nuff for yah?" "Well a lady must take care of herself, and getting grass stains just wouldn't do." "Beg yer pardon Rarity, but yer not wearing any clothes." "Yes, but I could still stain my coat which would just be awful!" "But ah mean-" Before Applejack and Rarity could get into another one of their arguments, Rainbow decided to intervene. Partly because AJ and Rarity could go on for hours about form verses function, mostly, though, she was just really hungry. She had spent all afternoon practicing a new trick she had invented and had planned to show it off after eating. "Could we hold off with the arguing until at least after we've eaten? I don't know about you guys but I'm starving over here!" Rainbow said while gliding down from the tree branch. "Ah reckon she's got a point there. 'Sides, Spike 'n Pinkie look like they're about to go nuts over there," Applejack replied. It was true. Spike and Pinkie were both practically drooling, eyeing the food basket like vultures closing in for the kill. Even Twilight was eyeing it hungrily, having already set up all her observation equipment a few feet from the group. "Alright, everypony. So ah got three apple pies, a couple fritters and a few red delicious. So what'r y'all hankering fer?" Applejack questioned while spreading the veritable buffet on the carpet. It didn't take long for everypony to choose. "Pie!" Spike, Pinkie and Rainbow shouted simultaneously, each snatching up their own culinary delight and digging right in. The three of them devoured their treats like a plague of locusts. "Err, alright you three, enjoy," said Applejack. "I'll have an apple fritter, Applejack, if you'd be so kind?" Rarity asked after the other three had moved off. "Sure thing, Rares, help yourself," Applejack replied, watching Rarity's horn glow as a Fritter floated itself over to her. "I'll take a fritter as well, Applejack," Twilight said while levitating one for herself. "Fluttershy, would yah like anything?" "Umm... I'd like an apple... if you wouldn't mind..." Fluttershy squeaked out, only to be thumped on the leg by a certain white rabbit. She looked down to see Angel staring at her, a half-eaten carrot by his feet. "Oh yes... umm... another apple for Angel... if you could spare one?" "O'course sugar," Applejack said while bringing two apples to Fluttershy and angel. "Well, ah guess ah'll have a few fritters." Applejack then proceeded to pick up two fritters and she sat down by Rainbow, Pinkie and Spike. Twilight and Rarity were off to the side chatting about their day and the meteor shower while Spike, Pinkie, Rainbow and Applejack were talking about the food and other assorted subjects. Fluttershy was sitting quietly with Angel, both eating their snacks and watching the beautiful display in the sky. "You guys should have seen it! It was my best practice yet!" Rainbow exclaimed between bites of pie, "I finally nailed the new trick I've been working on for days!" "That sounds awesome Dashie! What's the trick called?" Pinkie giggled. "That's easy! It's called..." Dash paused for a second, "Umm, err, huh. I guess I never actually named it. Hey, you girls want to help me name it now?" There was a murmur of agreement between the four of them, each one trying to think up some awesome name, except Pinkie. She was already bubbling with ideas. "Oh! Oh! I got one!" Pinkie giggled with excitement, "How about: 'The Super Duper Rainbow Shriek'!" "Ehh, I don't think that fits Pinkie," Rainbow said, only slightly disheartened. "Well, what does this trick look like Rainbow?" Applejack asked. "Oh, it's like, when I get some water from a few clouds and move it around me while flying so a shining rainbow of colors appears around me!" Rainbow explained excitedly. "How about: 'The Neon Flash'?" Spike suggested between bites of pie. Rainbow was quick to jump to the idea. "I like it!" she replied, "It's got some zest, and it fits better than Pinkie's suggestion!" At Pinkie's hurt look, Dash quickly apologized, which seemed to set the pink earth pony's mood back to “fun.” The four of them continued to talk about random things until sometime later, when Twilight and Rarity joined them. "Well, girls, it's starting to get late," Rarity sighed, "I think I'll be heading back home." "Yeah, 'tis getting late," AJ murmured as she got up, "Me 'n Mac are plantin' some new trees tomorrow, so ah best be off too." "Aww, but we were having so much fun girls!" Pinkie protested. Ah know sugar, but it's getting late." "Oh, alright, I guess we can continue the party tomorrow!" After an evening of fun, everypony was quite tired, except Twilight of course. She'd become accustomed to staying up late from reading books and doing schoolwork alike. Her own internal clock was probably set a couple of hours behind everypony else's. Staying up late and sleeping in would probably do that to somepony. "I think I'm gonna stay here for a while longer, girls," Twilight said, "I still have a few things to record about the meteor shower." "Well... alright, Twilight... just don't stay up too late. It gets quite cold during the night," Fluttershy meekly suggested, carrying a sleeping Angel on her back. "Don't worry, I won't be staying too much longer," Twilight replied. "Yeah, I'm heading out," Rainbow stated as she got up and stretched her wings. "I'll cya all tomorrow, night girls." With that, Rainbow proceeded to fly off towards her floating home over Ponyville. "I'll meet you back at the library Twi," Spike said, yawning in the process. "Okay, goodnight everypony!" Twilight called cheerily. As everypony said their goodbyes and goodnights, Twilight went back to the area she had created as her makeshift observatory. She wanted to stay behind and document a few more things, since she was a bit busy eating and talking to her friends to really work. But now that she was alone, she could really focus. This is what Twilight loved. Astronomy. Something about the stars calmed and soothed her. She had spent whole nights awake watching certain events, like a lunar eclipse or other meteor showers, so she wouldn't miss a chance on a night like this. "Okay, now, where is that book on astronomical wonders…" Twilight muttered to herself, sifting through her stack of papers. Maybe she had brought a few too many books? Nah. You can never have enough literature! As Twilight searched, a certain light in the night sky was slowly shining bigger and brighter. It had a white shine, and yet if one were to look close enough, they would see a black center. "There we go, now I can- Oh? What's this?" Twilight said while looking up at the sky. "I need to get a closer look at this!" Twilight then quickly adjusted the telescope on the shining object in the sky. Oh, wow, that's beautiful! Umm, is it getting bigger? Twilight enthused, Oh my! It is! Twilight raised her head to take a look at the object; the telescope being far to bright now. "Ohmygosh! A bolide! I wasn't expecting a fireball during the meteor storm. I wonder if it will land?" Twilight cried in excitement, "Ah, I need to document this!" Twilight then proceeded to scribble down notes on a scroll while observing the falling meteor The light was steadily getting brighter and brighter, slowly blocking out the lights from the other stars. But it wasn't a normal meteor, as Twilight could sense even from this distance an unholy energy emanating from it. It chilled Twilight to the core, but her curiosity kept her eyes pinned to it. Twilight was overjoyed, a chance to study a crashed meteorite was a once in a lifetime opportunity. And being so interested in astronomy, she would not waste this opportunity. "Aheee!" Twilight screamed and ducked for cover while the light whizzed a couple hundred feet above her and into the Everfree Forest. There was a tremendous *Thud* as the star hit the ground, and a plume of smoke could be seen rising above the forest canopy. "Eeeeeeee!" Twilight exclaimed, giddy with excitement “Yes yes yes yes yes yes yeees! I can't wait to document this!" Twilight quickly grabbed her quill and ink, and made a beeline straight for the forest, unaware of the danger that was approaching. Big thanks to Dr. Jekyll & NikitaKitten for editing the chapter!