//------------------------------// // Chapter Four // Story: Rainbow Connection // by ahilty //------------------------------// Chapter Four Fizzy really felt at home here, despite the issues she was having communicating with Big Mac. Perhaps it was because the big farm pony was so calm and welcoming, even to someone who wasn’t his kind of pony. Fizzy liked him, and really wished she could talk to him normally, but all she had was the scattered bits of Equestrian he tried to teach her. They had talked, much as they could, until poor Fizzy’s face was drooping into her oats. She was so tired she could barely keep her eyes open. Seeing this, Big Mac had tapped her on the shoulder and led her to his room. Feeling that a tired, injured mare should have his bed, he gently guided her there, and then took up space on the couch, half between wakefulness and sleep. He kept one tired eye on the door, in case Applejack burst in with Apple Boom. Of course by the time that Celestia started to raise the sun nopony had come home. Feeling very concerned now, but knowing that someone had to keep the farm running, Big Mac rose with the cawing of the roosters and started to make breakfast for Granny Smith and the foreign pony. “Mornin’” Granny greeted as she slowly made her way to the table. “Where’d the girls go?” “Still not back yet.” Big Mac said. “Hrrmpp…dog gone young fillies these days…” Granny started, but the sound of hoofsteps on the stairs silenced the ancient mare. She turned and squinted as Fizzy took the last few steps off the landing and gazed at them both, blinking with her strange crystal eyes. “Big Mac…what in tarnation have you been up to?” Granny asked. Big Mac sputtered. “It ain’t like that, Granny…” Fizzy’s mouth turned up into a nervous smile, but she took a deep breath and walked over to Granny. She ducked her head and babbled at Granny. “Eh? Stop mumbling young filly! My ears aint’ what they used to be.” “Don’t think she can speak Equestrian, Granny.” “Eh?” “She’s foreign.” “Oooooh, getting on with these foreign fillies, eh boy?” “It ain’t like that, Granny. I found her lost and hurt last night. Just tryin’ ta be neighborly.” Granny gave a good natured chuckle, deciding to tease Big Mac just a bit more. “Awfully neighborly, eh miss?” She winked at Fizzy, who tilted her head in puzzlement. Still, she smiled at Granny, trying to be as polite as she could while not actually being able to talk to her. Big Mac placed a large stack of pancakes, with toast, apple jelly, butter and of course, apple juice. Carefully he placed a few pancakes and toast on one plate, then another. He placed a plate in front of Fizzy, and another for Granny. Granny smacked the syrupy pancakes with her hoof. The flapjacks flipped into the air and straight into Granny’s mouth. Big Mac looked at Fizzy, expecting to see her use Unicorn magic to levitate the food. Instead she grabbed a fork and knife in her hooves and began to eat like an earth pony. Big Mac grunted. Well, he supposed it wasn’t his business if she didn’t like to use her magic. For a moment he thought that Fizzy was putting on odd airs like that one unicorn that Rarity had been so obsessed with, the one that had a crush on his sister, but Fizzy was giving him such an earnest smile he didn’t think that was possible. It could be she was raised by earth ponies or pegasi, like the Cake twins. Big Mac shrugged, not letting it bother him. When they were done with breakfast Big Mac headed off to buck the south field. He’d be at it all day without Applejack and Apple Bloom, so he figured he couldn’t stick around and entertain his house guest. Fizzy, for lack of anything better to do, followed. Fizzy eyed him as he went into the barn and tried to hitch himself up to the cart. He looked at her while he struggled with his harness and snorted. “Now, I ain’t saying ya hafta, but I could sure use some help out there.” Big Mac said. Fizzy looked at the cart, then looked at Big Mac. Big Mac sighed, and pointed to the south field. He grabbed a stick and drew a little apple tree, Fizzy following with her eyes. He pointed to the tree, then made a stick figure Big Mac bucking the apples down from the trees. Fizzy babbled at him. She pointed at the trees, then pointed at herself. He shrugged, trying to get her to understand that it was up to her if she wanted to help him or not. Fizzy looked up at him and nodded. She trotted over and attempted to help him into the harness. Again, using her hooves instead of her magic. Big Mac watched, feeling extremely awkward, as Fizzy clumsily attempted to place the harness over his body. She somehow managed to get her hooves tangled up and bound on his back. Eventually he had to help her out, and he wondered if he would have had better luck just doing it on his own. She kept chattering at him in an apologetic tone, ears down sadly. “Hey, it’s alright. You’re just not used to this kinda thing, I reckon.” Big Mac said. “Better get them apples in before we lose anymore daylight.” Big Mac started off, heading for the south field, as Fizzy followed behind, looking rather sheepish. Big Mac lapsed into his usual silence as Fizzy started to talk to him again, and Big Mac let out an occasional eyup for her benefit. He was starting to get used to her, just a bit. She was clearly a chatterbox, but it was alright. She seemed happy enough to talk to him even if he couldn’t fully understand. Although he had to admit out here in the light she looked even odder. He wondered where in Equestria she had came from. She was so odd looking, like a colt, but clearly a mare. And the eyes were still giving him the heebie jeebies. If it weren’t for her unnatural appearance she might be cute, but…she was just a bit to alien. But, despite that, that didn’t mean she was a bad pony, just one that gave him a nervous feeling when he thought too much of it. They approached the first tree, and Big Mac pointed at the apples, then pointed at Fizzy’s horn, hoping that this time she would do a little unicorn magic. She gave him a startled look, looked up at the apples then shrugged. She turned to the tree and her horn began to glow. Big Mac smiled, and then lifted a foreleg in puzzlement as a small storm of bubbles seemed to erupt from the air. The bubbles began to float upwards, enveloping the apples and bobbing in the air. Fizzy frowned and her horn glowed again. With some clear effort she managed to place the apples into the cart. Big Mac blinked. “…might be quicker if I just…bucked em…” Big Mac shrugged and headed for the next tree. A sudden shout made him stop, and the oddest…thing jumped down from the tree in front of his snout. It was long, tall, and stood on its forelegs like a diamond dog. However, its face and snout sort of resembled a gorilla or a chimpanzee, only hairless and pink. Though it did have a rather long impressive red mane. It screeched at him and wacked him on the head with the long stick it carried. Big Mac let out a cry of surprise as the creature hobbled to Fizzy and grabbed her mane. Fizzy let out what was clearly ‘Ow.’ Big Mac turned and stamped at the ape. “Nnope.” He snarled and prepared to charge. “Nnope!” Fizzy tore away from the ape and stood between Big Mac and it. At first Big Mac thought she was trying to defend him, as silly as that sounded, but no. She was standing protectively in front of the ape, shaking her head and using the one word she knew for no at him. The ape’s face crinkled in what Big Mac assumed was dislike, and it attempted to shove past Fizzy, stick raised. Big Mac stamped again. If the ape wanted a fight, he would bring it! Fizzy pushed against Draggle, not wanting to hurt her, but also not eager to see her pummel her new friend. He WAS a friend. He could have harmed her so many times today, or last night. But he didn’t. “Draggle, please! Stop!” “Get out of my way so I can-“ “Please! He saved me!” “He’s one of the ones that attacked us! They hurt that Flutter Pony! Surprise never came back! We can’t find the Stoneback! They’re all hos…hos…” “…stop trying to use Wind Whistler words.” “Whatever! Idiot, let me close so I can zap him!” “Draggle, enough! Please!” Morning Glory poked her head out of the apple tree and fluttered down. “Look at him, he’s trying to protect Fizzy as much as you are!” Draggle sneered and glared at Big Mac, who stamped again and snorted. He waved his hoof at Draggle in a clear ‘bring it’ motion. Draggle’s eyes flashed briefly with the lightning spell, which only made Big Mac sneer more at her. “Now, wait. Please, Draggle. He’s...look at him. Look at that harness. Look at what he’s doing. He’s just some work pony. He’s probably just a normal citizen of this place. He’s not a fighter.” “No! He’s nice! His name is Big Mac. He’s really nice! He let me into his house with old grandparent…I least I think its his grandparent…some old pony! He gave me pancakes.” Draggle paused. “…so…we’ve been running around that forest…looking for you, Surprise, and a Stoneback…dodging wolves and manticores and these really strange looking dogs…and you have been snuggling in a nice farmhouse…eating pancakes.” “…they’re very good pancakes. They have apple slices in them.” Draggle glared at her and, spinning, wacked an apple trees. “Of all the stupid ponies why did we have to get stuck with you!” She paced around the orchard, muttering what Fizzy assumed were very naughty words, and banging her stick on things. Fizzy was used to these kind of outbursts from the witch. She pawed the ground; a bit embarrassed that Big Mac got to see this. “Draggle, you are being to mean!” Morning Glory protested, but Draggle didn’t seem to hear. “Oh, it’s okay. She doesn’t mean it.” Fizzy shrugged. “She does this when she gets frustrated.” She lowered her voice, leaning towards Morning Glory. “It’s a witch thing. Her mother does it too. Wind Whistler explained this to me. It’s just a thing with them. She doesn’t really mean to call me stupid.” “Well then she needs to learn how to express herself differently.” Morning Glory frowned. “Wind Whistler is trying.” Fizzy shrugged. “She said something once about spotty leopards and stuff…” “Oh, right. A leopard can’t change her spots!” Morning Glory nodded. And I suppose we have asked her to change so many spots she must still have a few on her. Morning Glory turned her head at an awkward cough. The Big Brother was looking at her, scuffing his hoof in embarrassment. The stallion pointed to the apples, then to the cart. He then pointed at the sun. “Oh, you’re an apple harvester!” Morning Glory said. “I see…you were helping him, Fizzy?” “Oh! Yeah! I thought since he saved me and feed me.” She ignored a particularly foul curse from Draggle. “I should help him…hey, you guys wanna help, it’s actually really fun!...Draggle?” Draggle stopped. “I am not pulling a cart.” “Well of course not!” Fizzy reared. “I’ll pull, and you can blow the apples down! Come on! Maybe he’ll feed you to!” “He better.” Draggle looked at Morning Glory. “You should come with us just in case…where do we find the carts?” “This way!” Fizzy ran over and gave Big Mac a little nuzzle, before tapping the cart with a hoof. He blinked, backing away from the sudden unwelcome contact. Fizzy reared and charged back to the barn, which was still in sight. Big Mac frowned as she pulled out another cart and babbled at Draggle, who walked over and, with a puzzled frown, attempted to hitch Fizzy to the cart. This involved almost as much pulling, tugging, puzzled glances, and grunting as it had this morning, only the occasional witchy shriek was added in for good measure. “How does Megan do this all winter?” Draggle grumbled again. “You sure you can pull that thing?” “Oh no problem! Let’s go!” Fizzy trotted over to where Big Mac was standing. Seeing that the aliens were not attacking anymore, and able to tell that they now were helping with the harvest, Big Mac gave them a smile, letting the incident from before flow away from him like water under the bridge. Besides, it was clear to him that, despite the ape’s screeching, the creature must have been concerned for Fizzy. So with a friendly head toss he started to the next tree. The odd butterfly pony followed, and soared upwards. Cleary he had a new partner now. The butterfly pony turned her back to the tree and fluttered at the apples. The apples fell into Big Mac’s cart from the force of the Utter Flutter. He looked to the side and widened his eyes. The ape was literally blowing the apples down, and Fizzy would occasionally bounce bubbles up there to knock the apples where they needed to go. He grinned. They weren’t so bad. By noon every single apple had been either blown or Utter Fluttered down. Big Mac, noticing that by now Draggle was starting to limp rather badly, walked over to her and gave her a nudge with his nose. She scowled down at him, but he ignored that. He figured it meant something else, since her face was so flat and odd he figured he was misinterpreting her meaning with the scowls. He tossed his head, and then patted his back. “Mighty grateful ta ya, partner. Ah’ll take ya back.” Draggle gave him a suspicious look, but in the end she chose to take the ride. She could already feel the small throbs of pain running her up leg, and she didn’t want to walk. Mentally cursing certain foul tempered pigs, she swung up on Big Mac’s back. She was so thin that, while Big Mac felt awkward, he didn’t mind the weight, even with the apples. He motioned for the others to come along, and Fizzy pulled up beside him, still talking to Big Mac. Draggle leaned down and grabbed her ear. “He can’t understand you, Fizz-brain.” “Oh I know! I just like to talk to him!” Fizzy smiled up at Draggle. “…yeah, that sounds like you.” Draggle snarled. Fizzy watched her for a bit. “…we will stop her.” “Eh?” “Reeka.” “…Reeka can boil her head in a cauldron.” Draggle snarled. Fizzy nudged her gently. “It’s okay.” “Stupid sappy ponies…” Draggle growled. Fizzy grinned at her again. Draggle sighed and scratched Fizzy’s ears, but made to sure to not look at her while she did it. Fizzy was not fooled. By the time they got back to the barn it was the afternoon, and, through hoof gestures, Big Mac managed to convey that they should just leave the carts in the barn for now. With another wave of his hoof he pointed for the house. He had a feeling they would be hungry, and again it seemed that he should feed them. He was halfway to the door when something once again leaped out at him from the sky, yelling. This time, however, it was a white pegasus with a very Pinkie Pie ish Cutie Mark. This was enough to startle him into backing up, especially when the pegasus pawed the ground like he she or whatever was going to charge. Fizzy darted in front of him. Again. She was making an unfortunate habit of this. “Surprise! It’s okay! He’s nice!” “Nice! Nice! Fizzy have you lost it!” “She’s right, this alien is aright.” Morning Glory said gently, and even Draggle nodded. “We assumed, after flying over, that you had perhaps been captured and enslaved. I assume this is not the case? I see nothing indicating incarceration.” Wind Whistler trotted from behind the house, followed by Gusty, who was looking around and snorting aggressively. She glared at Big Mac, who huffed back at her. “Now I’m trying to be understandin’ but it’s a bit hard when ya’ll’re glarin’ at me like that.” He grumbled at them. None of them understood, of course. Surprise sat down. “…are you sure he’s okay, Fizzy?” “Yeah, I’m sure!” Fizzy walked over to Big Mac and nuzzled him a bit. “See? Look!” Wind Whistler hummed to herself. “…it would be best if, seeing as how nothing has indicated your impression is false, we should take a break. It’s been a long night. We cannot linger. Even if the populous is not all evil, the leadership, or at least a faction, clearly are. We should not get our new ally in trouble. If he is willing to shelter us for a brief time we should take this opportunity, but…I think we should move on as soon as we are feeling better. Anyone have any strenuous objections?” “…naw, I guess if there are so many of us we can overpower em…but I’m keeping an eye on the windows.” “A logical precaution, Gusty.” “Aww, you’re rubbing off me.” Gusty gave a brief smile. And so the reunited group of Ponylanders, save one Stoneback, trotted in after Big Mac. Big Mac decided it was time to pull out the big stores for when the rest of the family would drop in unexpected. It was a simple fare of oats and more apple juice, as well as a nice helping of apple fritters for desert. The only one who didn’t appear at least halfway pleased with this was the ape, gave the oats a cautious gnaw, but it was clear from the way it frowned oats were not its thing. Neither were the fritters, which she kept sliding to either Wind Whistler or Fizzy every time they appeared. Eventually Draggle just ended up snagging a few apples and eating them instead of the oats, as they really didn’t appeal, almost as much as the fritters did not appeal. Big Mac just shrugged his shoulders, assuming her kind just didn’t eat pony food. Big Mac studied each stranger. The blue pegasus was calm, even if her eyes kept wandering to the windows, as if she was prepared to leap to her feet and buck down the walls if she needed to leave. Fizzy seemed content to smile at him in that almost endearing way, and he smiled back every time her eyes met his. She wasn’t his type, but she was a nice pony nonetheless. Gusty paced the room, more obvious about her window watching then Wind Whistler. Surprise, now feeling she didn’t have to be quite so serious now that Wind Whistler was here, at fritters and chatted with Fizzy. Morning Glory ate more slowly and more politely, but she seemed just as relaxed as Fizzy and Surprise. Big Mac settled in with his own fritter. They were okay, and it was nice to have a full house. If only he could share this with Applejack. He looked out of the window himself, frowning in worry. Twilight Sparkle closed her book, the spell memorized. She sniffed the air, smelling waffles. A plate full of them suddenly rose under her nose. She blinked, wings fluttering. “You’ve got to stop these all nighters.” The plate lowered to reveal Spike’s frowning purple face. “You look like you’re gonna drop.” “I know Spike, but a lot happened last night.” Twilight levitated a waffle to her mouth and took a quick bite. “The girls are still missing. And there are so odd ponies wandering around. They bucked me into the wall.” Twilight waved to the wall. Spike looked at the piles of books and groaned, already knowing who would be in charge of straightening the collapsed wall. “Strange ponies?” Spike asked, hoping to keep the inevitable book stacking as far in the future as possible. Twilight nodded and, though bites of waffle, told Spike what happened last night. The dragon sighed and rubbed his scales. “You think we should tell the princesses? Maybe they know something?” Twilight lifted her wings as she finished breakfast. She nodded. “I’ve researched differnet obscure pony types before. Like Princess Luna’s night ponies, or the rumors of hippocampi under the sea, or hippogriffs, but I’ve never seen a pony like them before. Spike, you’re right. Take a letter, please.” Spike grinned and pulled out some parchment and a quill. Twilight cleared her throat. It had been a while since she had to write the Princess. “Dear Princess Celestia…” Princess Luna stood on the battlements, lowering the moon into the sky as her sister landed next to her. Celestia smiled and watched the moon lower. “Another beautiful night, Luna.” “Thank you, sister…I have been sensing something…off in the forests of Ponyville though.” Luna frowned at the offending Everfree forest in agitation. “I have almost regained my powers fully but…I am uncertain.” Celestia was about to reply when a scroll popped in front of her face. She blinked and opened it. “I didn’t expect a letter after…” Wondering what in the world Twilight could have been messaging her for, because she no longer had any need for friendship reports, Celestia looked at the letter. She gasped. Not used to hearing her normally calm, wise sister gasp, Luna looked behind her and walked over ot peer at the letter over Celestia’s shoulder. “What is it?” “They…are back.” Celestia lowered the paper so Luna could take a good look. “They have not changed much, from her description.” Luna read aloud. “Dear Princess…last night I encouraged a very odd variation of pony…large and heavyset…triangular heads….spoke an odd dialect…” She muttered through some of the words that Twilight had managed to remember Wind Whistler saying. Luna flapped her wings and hovered. “Queen Majesty’s subjects! But why would Queen Majesty’s loyal subjects attack a princess of Equestria!” Celestia gently folded the paper and made it vanish, not looking directly at her sister. Luna frowned. “It si me, isn’t it. You think it’s becase of my actions a thousand years ago.” “They would be unaware of your redemption, Luna. In fact, they might have been unaware of what the Nightmare did to you, and they…might have assumed you were acting on my orders. After all, the gates closed after you returned to face me in the castle, and I couldn’t find the gem to reactivate it…they were attacked, by us, and didn’t know why…” Luna frowned. “We must fix this.” “…I must.” “What?” “Give me a moment to raise the sun. Can you teleport to Ponyville with me?” Luna nodded, not even thinking of sleeping right now. She could remember, very vividly, the day she had attacked Majesties ponies in a fit of rage. The unicorn queen of the other world had always tried to calm Luna’s doubts about her role and importance to Equestria, but as the Nightmare had wormed its way into Luna’s mind, Luna had begun to think that Majesty had meant her ill. Just as the Nightmare had warped Luna’s perception of her sister, it had warped Luna’s perception of their ally. In the end, when Luna had arrived at the unicorn queen’s castle, demanding her aid in overthrowing Celestia, the queen had refused. She had tried to help Luna, but Luna had… Luna shook her head, not wanting to think about what she had done. She watches Celestia raise her sun, and tried not show her anxiety. Yes it had been a thousand years. Yes the original Queen Majesty was probably long gone but…what of her line? What of her descendants, and her beloved herd? How would Luna ever be forgiven by them? Regardless, by the time the sun was fully up, Luna had mentally prepared herself for the trip. She nodded at Celestia and the two reentered the castle. “Tell the steward that Princess Luna and I had to make an emergency trip to Ponyville, and, if you see any strange looking, heavy set ponies that speak a language you don’t understand, do not hurt them. Restrain them if they cause trouble, but don’t cause any lasting damage.” The guards, who got…interesting orders all the time from the occasionally playful princess, saluted. Celestia nodded at Luna, and the two vanished from the guard’s sight without a trace. For a moment the two of them fidgeted nervously, but eventually one left to let the rest of the castle staff know of this little…oddness. Twilight jerked a bit as both royal princesses teleported into her library, upsetting the stack of books that Spike was carrying. With a small huff Spike gave the two princesses the most annoyed look he dared to give before he got up, dusted himself off, and proceeded to gather the books up again. “Princess Celestia! Princess Luna!” Twilight’s wings spread in surprise. “…this is more serious then I thought, isn’t it?” “Indeed, it is.” For once Celestia didn’t have her small, gentle smile. She sighed. “Twilight…have you every studied the Queendom of Dreams?” “Queendom of Dreams…Queendom of Dreams…oh! It was discovered after the founding of Equestria by Princess Platinum, but there is very little information about it. Mostly mythology about a land of mysterious monsters and ponies with little magic, but great physical strength and power. It was ruled by a unicorn queen. Nopony knows the exact location, because all the books just say it was ‘over the rainbow’, which of course is nonsense! It’s believed to be a myth.” “It is not a myth, Twilight. A thousand years ago, during Discords rule, Princess Platinum, Commander Hurricane, and Chancellor Puddinghead took many ponies to the Queendom of Dreams. Discord’s evil threatened to destroy us all, and it was all we could do to flee. Platinum discovered a magical mirror, similar to the one in the Crystal Palace, that led us to a different world. No, Twilight, not Canterlot High. This world was inhabited by ponies, similar to us, but different in many ways. The unicorn’s magic was…limited and primitive. The pegasi could not manipulate the weather or walk on clouds. The earth ponies had no special skills with the land, though they were effective farmers. To make a long story short, Luna and I were raised there, became alicorns there, and launched out campaign against Discord there. With the Dreamlanders we were able to fight a guerrilla war against Discord, and eventually found the Elements of Harmony, with the help and wisdom of a creature called the Moochick.” “Then, what happened, why did the gates close?” “Nightmare Moon happened, Twilight Sparkle.” Luna scuffed a hoof, her face hard and serious. “There will be time for all of this later. I must go to the Rainbow Gate. No doubt after the Nightmare’s attack on them, the Dreamlanders must have thought we turned on them. After thousands of years we are no doubt seen in the same light Luna was by many before ponies got to know her. I must go and find their new queen. I must convince her of what happened in the past is done with.” “Alright! I’ll pack my bags and-“ “Twilight, I must go alone.” Celestia said. “Wha-!” “Twilight, a few months ago you took up the reins of Princesshood, and did a wonderful job. But now I am afraid I must again leave Equestria in your and Luna’s hooves for now. In case they do become unreasonable I don’t want us all to be attacked. For now our ponies need the two of you.” “And you don’t want me to go back there and spark another war.” Luna frowned. “Please understand, Luna.” “I do…I do…Just go, sister…good luck.” Celesta gave her and Twilight a farewell nudge. “I’ll be back before you know it. If Majesty’s line is anything like she was, they will understand.” Celestia trotted out of the library, to the shocked gasped of a few passerby, and lifted off into the air, soaring for her ancient castle. Luna sighed as she watched her sister go. Twilight watched her, knowing that if the princess spent too much time thinking she would start to brood. Twilight lifted her wings. “Want to help me gather my friends. We have some missing foals.” “Missing foals…yes, gather your friends. We shall look for them, and the Dreamlanders on this side. I can speak their tongue…though an archaic form. You shall need me to translate.” “Alright, let’s start with Applejack. I’m not sure if she made it home with Apple Bloom last night, but if she did that would be the best place to look…are you okay without your guard?” “Twilight Sparkle, I am the Princess of the Night. I can handle myself.” “Of course Princess.” Twilight smiled and looked back at Spike. “Hold the fort, Spike.” “Sure sure.” The dragon grumbled as he placed the books…basically where they were supposed to be. Twilight and Luna spread their wings and began to soar towards Applejack’s farm, Twilight leading the way. The two of them swooped down on the farmhouse, Twilight keeping an eye out, hoping her friend would come out so they could talk to her. However what burst out of the door of the farm, snorting and stamping, was not Applejack, but the fierce white unicorn from last night. Luna pulled ahead of Twilight and landed in front of the unicorn. Almost slipping into the Royal Canterlot Voice, the alicorn began to babble at the unicorn in a rhythmic, formulaic sounded version of the odd language. Twilight landed behind Luna and, quietly, started to prepare the translation spell. “Stand down, warrior of Majesty!” Luna bellowed. “Thy enemies are not we! Stand down and raise thy horn!” Gusty snorted and stamped. “Fat chance!” The other Ponylanders charged out as well, Wind Whistler on Gusty’s left side, Surprise on the other. Morning Glory and Fizzy stayed behind them, while Draggle couldn’t get through the door at this point. Gusty pawed the ground again. Wind Whistler frowned up at Luna. “Your speech patters are indicative of a pony from the olden days. Days only a few ponies know of. Identify yourself.” “I art Luna. The Princess of the Night.” “Princess of…no.” Wind Whistler stamped, for a moment looking like Gusty. “I recall you.” “You do? Who?...wait…oh no not her!” Fizzy backed closer to Morning Glory, shivering. “Every Ponylander from Queen Majesty’s ilk knows this story, even I, and I am not prone to flights of fancy. You…” By this point in Wind Whistler’s speech Twilight had completed the spell. A small wave of invisible energy exploded outwards, and while both Fizzy and Gusty felt…something, their own magic was a bit less developed then a Equestrians, so they took it for a mere shiver. Morning Glory, however, looked around as if puzzled, and Draggle hissed like a wounded cat. But Wind Whistler was not finished. As the spell was completed her next words seemed to be in Equestrian, to the Equestrians’ ears at least. “You are the Mother of Tirac. “Wait, really? Let me see?” Draggle pushed past Morning Glory and stared. “…are you sure, she’s awfully…sparkly.” Luna recoiled. “A witch of the Gloom Clan! What madness hath overtaken you!” Luna turned her gaze to Wind Whistler, astounded. “Yeah? And you don’t look like you mothered Lord Tirac.” Draggle pointed out. “I did not MOTHER him!” Luna bellowed, shockwaves emitting from her form. “I…merely gave him his powers…” “And that makes it acceptable? Do you have any idea what he has done?” The Ponylander’s turned their heads and stared at Wind Whistler. She never, ever raised her voice, and she really wasn’t raising it now. But her calm, logical tone had gone even colder then it ever had before. Her hooves were instinctively starting to spread out, and her wings were starting to shake with stress. She glared at Luna. “That beast drove us from our home. For thousands of years our kind wandered without a home, and when we finally got it back the Gloom Witches had taken it for their own, and saw us as the invaders, sparking even more unnecessary conflict. Tirac stole our young, turned them into monsters.” Wind Whistler stamped a bit closer to Luna. “He killed the last Queen. Our last queen was barely a queen at all. Almost all the adults save a few were gone. Only her and handful raising us foals in order for our very kind to survive. And he took her away from us.” Wind Whistler stamped. “He killed our mother, and you are responsible.” “And after that you stand shoulder to hoof with a WITCH! One of the most depraved and wicked beings in your own lands!” Luna shouted back. “How dare you accuse her of wrongdoing after claiming to be the traitor!” Wind Whistler shouted. The other Ponylanders stared at her, Draggle and Fizzy backing away from the enraged pegasus. Neither of them had ever heard Wind Whistler raise her voice. Ever. Draggle put a hand on Wind Whistler’s shoulder. She opened her mouth, but couldn’t find the words she wanted to say. Wind Whistler took a deep breath, and allowed her face to return to its stoic state, but her eyes remained cold. She drew herself up, tall and unflinching as stone. “You.” She said firmly. “Are not permitted to pass blame upon another, especially one who you know nothing about. It has been a thousand years. Things have changed.” Luna sneered. “Clearly.” “We.” Wind Whistler snorted. “Are leaving. You have nothing to say that we are interested in hearing.” “Agreed.” Gusty snarled. “No! Wait!” Twilight pushed past Luna and approached the Ponylanders. Gusty stamped and gave her a warning gust. “Not another step, you skinny freak!” “Please! Listen! I know Luna has done some horrible things in the past, but she’s different now! We’re trying to make up for what happened before! Look, I know it might take you a while to forgive her, but your kind and ours were friends once! We can be friends again! Please! You forgave her, right?” Twilight pointed at Draggle. “There’s a bit of difference between doing what your mother wants and creating the most evil creature that ever lived!” Gusty snorted, then gave Draggle a quick nod. For a second the witch seemed touched by this statement. Meanwhile, Wind Whistler was giving Twilight a calculating look. For a moment Twilight thought she saw something in the strange pony’s face, that maybe if she found the right words she could reach her… “Oh and I suppose all the ponies her kind ATE would love to here one of their warriors defending that!” Luna pointed at Draggle, who snarled at her. Wind Whistler’s face closed off from Twilight, and the moment was gone. “I don’t eat ponies.” Draggle said. “Your ancestors did.” Luna retorted. “…you know in all the rants Mama gave me about being evil witches she never really mentioned eating ponies.” Draggle didn’t mention the decorative hats. “Luna, please calm down-“ “Twilight I shall not stand here and simple watch that thing-“ “I have had quite enough of this.” Wind Whistler stamped. “As I said before. We are leaving. You creatures are not welcome in Ponyland, or any part of Dream Valley. We are returning, and if you follow us, we shall retaliate.” Wind Whistler jerked her head towards the Everfree forest, and Gusty nudged Draggle long enough for her to mount up. The group of Ponylanders edged towards the forest, watching warily as Luna fumed at them. Big Mac, who had been watching this from the window, and listening, trotted out. “Wait. Fizzy?” Fizzy blinked and smiled back at Big Mac. “Oh, I’m sorry Big Mac…but…” “Ya can’t believe that stuff about the Princess.” Fizzy frowned, and looked at Luna. She backed away, shuddering a bit as Wind Whistler returned. She nudged Fizzy. “Do not linger.” “I…sorry Big Mac. But Tirac…I can’t forget it!” Fizzy turned and trotted off with the others, giving Big Mac one last sad look before the group disappeared into the trees. Twilight sighed, wings sagging. “I thought that learning their language would help…” Luna breathed. “…Celestia was right to go alone…it…is still close to me.” Twilight draped a wing over Luna. “Ponyville was shy around you at first, once they get to know the real you they’ll come around.” “I’m not sure we have that time.” Luna sighed. Big Mac trotted up, bowing. “Princess…they ain’t bad ponies, Ah don’t think.” “You’re right, Big Mac, they just…” Twilight sighed. “It’s just a very bad misunderstanding…” “Princess Twilight! Princess Luna!” The two alicorns looked up as a Royal Guard pegasus landed before them. “An urgent message from the Crystal Empire! They have been attacked!” “By whom?” Luna snapped out of her miserable state to full on princess mode. “Alien pones with heavyset bodies that speak a strange foreign language! Princess…they took Princess Cadence!” Luna’s wings snapped in alarm. “No.”