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// And all problems were neatly wrapped up with a bow. 
// Story: My Little Pony: Blue Version 
// by FaelaArts 
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Blue landed on the other side of town, the others following him. As they walked through town, ponies passed them a confused glance, but did not question it. Pausing as they neared the final turn, he peeked around the corner before turning to face the others. Looking to Lyra, he saw the warmth in her eyes as she gazed around her home. Turning back around, he waited for the sound of the portal closing.

“Tell my family, and Bon Bon, that I’m sorry.” Blue recognized the voice instantly, and smiled as he heard the portal close. Taking a step around the corner, he saw Twilight’s eyes widen, and let a casual smirk fall on his face. Seeing her ears flick in response to their footsteps, Blue opened his mouth to speak, coming to a halt behind Twilight.

“About time those losers left,” he spoke, watching Twilight turn around, her eyes widening further. The others spread out around him, and he saw her eyes pass over them, spending a few moments on Lyra before returning to look at Red. Slowly, an amused smile fell on her face.

“I hate to say I’m right but…” Letting the sentence hang, she watched as Blue and Lyra rolled their eyes. The new human, whom she had yet to meet, merely glanced away and scratched her arm. Twilight assumed that was because she didn’t know what Twilight was referring to.

“Please, with someone so awesome being here, you being right is barely even an afterthought.” Blue leaned up and flicked his hair with his hand, glancing to the hat on Red’s head. Of course he had given it back, he didn’t want people getting the wrong idea. Twilight rolled her eyes, causing his grin to reach new levels. Blue enjoyed Twilight, her reactions were almost as fun as Lyra’s.

“Of course Blue but I do have to ask about the three-er-two new faces behind you.” Twilight leaned toward the side, and looked at the two Giovanni’s, one looking almost like roadkill while the other seemed almost smiling with his eyes. Turning her eyes to the third one, Twilight ignored the chill that had run up her spine upon seeing those eyes.

“Well that’s Green, and those are Tweedle dum and Tweedle-Ooof” Blue winced as Lyra kicked him softly, by pokemon standards, with her hoof from Red’s other side. Giving her a glare, he ignored the sharp pain in his ankle and knew he was likely to have a bruise there later. Turning back to Twilight, he rolled his eyes and motioned to them.

“You know Giovanni. Long story short future Giovanni fell into your magic pool that duplicates stuff and the one that looks like he got punched in the face is the duplicate.” Blue glanced once more at the two Giovanni, before stepping aside as Twilight approached them. Her horn lit up and she turned to Red, opening her mouth to speak.

“So you want me to send the duplicate back to the mirror pool?” Twilight returned her gaze to Giovanni as Red gave a short nod, and cast the spell on the beaten up Giovanni. After the spell faded, the rope that had bound the copy fell to the ground with a disappointing thump. Turning back to Red, she turned her attention to the new face, to Green, and gave a pleasant smile, opening her mouth to speak.

And then a pink blur slammed into her from behind. All humans took a step back as the dust cleared to reveal their new enemy.

“Welcome back! You know I was super sad to hear that you were leaving but then I remembered the fact you had already returned and I realised that you would need a super duper party but I had to cater for your old selves first so I have been waiting for you to appear so I could throw you a great party so I am going to take Red so he can see how a party is made again now that it has been another four years and he should be more open to actually smiling or at least that is what I’ve read from the-” Pausing to take a breath, she leapt towards Red at lightning speed.

Red grabbed Blue’s arm and pulled him in front as a human shield, holding out the arm as a peace offering to the pink enemy, who grasped it with her hoof and took off down the street, bouncing up and down despite the fact she was dragging Blue along. If she noticed she was holding Blue, she didn’t care even as she bounded past some sharp rocks, which went down Blue’s back as he was thrown into the air and onto the ground multiple times.

“When I get my hands on you RED!” Blue’s voice carried the large distance Pinkie had already covered, and he was soon out of sight. Twilight picked herself off the ground, dusted herself off, and glanced to Red, raising an eyebrow. Red merely blinked in response, and she lowered her head, letting out an exasperated sigh.

Suddenly, two ponies and a large orange dog ran through the street, all pausing as they saw the group standing there watching them approach. The smaller pony, a filly with pink and purple hair, grunted as she tried to drag her newfound pokemon away from Red as the pokemon tried to approach him. The second pony, a unicorn with dark purple hair and a white coat, rolled her eyes and dragged the lead back, forcing the pokemon into a sitting position.

“Rarity, I didn’t know you were back.” Twilight trotted over and gave the larger pony a hug, who returned it and motioned to the smaller pony.

“I returned just this morning, but I’ve had my hands full dealing with Sweetie Belle’s new ‘pet’.” Rarity glanced toward the Growlithe with obvious disdain, who barked and wagged his tail in response. Suddenly the pokemon leaped forward, dragging both ponies to the ground as it leapt toward Green, who gave it a pat while she held a shaky smile on her face.

“Growlithe’s are quite easy to take care of, they just get a little over excited at times.” Leaning down, Green rubbed the pokemon’s chin, who wagged his tail in response and huffed in affection. Rarity and Sweetie Belle both stood back up, Rarity growling in response.

“Hardly, it’s been so hard keeping this furball off my award winning dresses, let alone teaching him basic commands.” Giving the leash a tug, Growlithe glanced to Rarity, before returning his gaze to Green with a enthusiastic was of his tail. Green stood up, and held out a hand as she motioned to the pokemon.

“I work at a Daycare center for pokemon, I could teach you how to care for the Growlithe if you want. They’re quite smart and obedient if you know how to talk to them.” Green walked over to Rarity and glanced back at Growlithe, and gently patted her leg. Growlithe leapt to her side, giving a bark as he wagged his tail. Seeing the obvious results, Rarity glanced to Twilight with uncertainty, who nodded in response.

“I would be a thousand times grateful if you would do just that. Would you be willing to follow me to my Boutique where we can discuss it over tea?” Rarity smiled as Green nodded, giving a wave to Red as the group left. Red glanced to Twilight, and then to the Giovanni behind him, before reaching into his pocket and pulling out a phone.

“Red? Excellent, I can tell by your call your mission was a success. I’m waiting in the exact location corresponding to where you are with a group of officers who followed me back in time ready for Giovanni’s capture. Just open the portal 10 paces to your right and we’ll take him back to the future.” Red obeyed, closing his phone and pointing his PASS at the exact location specified. The portal opened, and a group of five police emerged along with Professor Oak, a tall old man with white hair.

“Don’t stay here for too long Red, this spot is only safe to use for a few more days before my old self re-purposes it for some experiments. I’ll see you when you return.” The Police took Giovanni and double checked the ropes were secure, before heading back through. Professor Oak waved quickly, taking a long look around before heading through himself. Red closed the portal, and turned to Twilight.

“So, what do you want to do now?” Twilight looked to Red as she tried to decipher what his blank expression meant, however when she could not find anything, she leaned back.

Red gave a small shrug with his shoulders, catching her attention. Twilight glanced around the street, debating what Red might like to do. Having a moment of inspiration, she smiled, raising her hoof to the sky as she remembered her friend who was good with animals.

“I know a quiet place that has plenty of animals, you might like it.” Twilight waited patiently for a sign from Red, and received a nod in response. Turning, she began leading the way toward her yellow Pegasus friend with the pink mane who reminded her somewhat of Red. They would meet up again at the party, Pinkie would find them and drag them there when it was ready.

Lyra stood in the same place she had been standing, blinking at the absurdity of her situation. Twilight had completely forgotten she was even there. Watching them leave, she saw Red glance back once at her, a question in his eyes. With a shake of her head, she watched him turn around and follow Twilight out of Ponyville. Turning, she headed down the street, passing her old home, and headed for a building marked with a small round candy wrapper. Knocking on the door, she gulped and waited as it was answered by her best friend, a cream colored mare with a dark blue and pink mane.

“Lyra?”