As morning broke over Equestria, Eldon was in his bed, sleeping peacefully. The sun's rays shone through the bedroom window and onto his face, eventually causing him to open his eyes. He squinted as to not be blinded by the brilliance of the sun and propped himself up into a sitting position. Eldon yawned and looked around the room. His eyes widened at how elegant and classy everything was. From the embroidered carpet to the tiniest engravings on the ceiling, it was definitely the most fanciest room he had ever been in.
Wait... how did I get here? Eldon thought. He saw his own reflection in a mirror opposite from him and it all came rushing back. So... I'm not dreaming at all, am I? But how? Why am I still in Equestria? How will I ever get home? Too many questions... Eldon's thoughts were interrupted when a loud knocking sound came from the other side of his bedroom door. "Uh, I guess you can come in?" The door to the bedroom opened, revealing a guard he recognized from yesterday evening.
"The princesses have requested your presence in the throne room," the guard stated. "If I were you, I wouldn't want to keep them waiting any longer then they have to." The royal guard saluted and trotted off back to his post. Eldon knew that the guard was right.
I shouldn't keep the princesses waiting then. I need some answers, and more importantly, why and how I'm here in the first place, Eldon thought and exited the bedroom.
He was walking down the hall towards the throne room when he began to hear multiple muffled voices coming from within the room. He could make out Celestia's and Luna's, but the others? Not so much. When he approached the closed doors, the voices on the other side were quickly silenced.
They must have heard me. I guess they want to make sure that someone isn't listening to things he, or she, shouldn't hear. Eldon knocked on the heavy wooden doors and waited patiently. The sound of hooves slowly approached the door from the other side and it opened, revealing the kind face of Celestia.
"Ah! Eldon! You are awake at last. Please, do come in," Celestia said. She stepped to the side, allowing Eldon to enter the throne room before she closed the door again. "Did you sleep well Eldon?"
"Oh yes, it sure beats being unconscious any day," Eldon replied.
Celestia smiled warmly at him. "That is most splendid to hear, now Eldon- Eldon?" She looked behind her to see that he had stopped in his tracks. His mouth hung slightly open as he stared at the ponies at the round table.
No way, I don't believe this! Shining Armor, Cadance, and Tw-Twi-Twilight? Eldon thought.
"Ah, I see that you have noticed our other guests! Come join us at the table, and I'll introduce you to them," Celestia said. Eldon slowly nodded, still dumbfounded as he found a spot at the round table that was opposite from the rest of them. "Everypony, you are well aware by now why I've gathered you here. I'm glad we were able to get the first order of business out of the way regarding the strange events as of late that have been disturbing us, but I think it would be rude if I didn't introduce our guest to you first before we moved on, don't you?" Everypony else at the table nodded in silent agreement. "Good, now everypony, this is Eldon Field. Eldon, I believe it's about time that you met these three ponies. The one on your far left is Princess Mi Amore Cadenza, but everypony mostly calls her Cadance." Cadance as if on cue bowed her head towards Eldon.
"It's a pleasure to meet you," Cadance said and Eldon bowed his head as well.
"And it's an honour to meet you Cadance," Eldon replied.
"The Unicorn next to her is known as Shining Armor. He is the husband of Cadance and is also the newest General of Equestria's army," Celestia continued after Eldon and Cadance had greeted each other. Eldon and Shining Armor locked eyes and both nodded towards the other. Shining Armor stood tall and proud, presenting himself in a formal military manner. "And finally, let me introduce you to the fourth Princess of Equestria. She is Twilight Sparkle, the embodiment of the Element of Magic, and the Princess of Friendship."
"Hello Eldon, it's wonderful that we get to meet at last, pony to pony this time," Twilight said and smiled.
That... that voice! It can't be possible... was Twilight the voice in my head at the Everfree Forest? Eldon thought. "Twilight, I- I think I've heard your voice before, in the Everfree Forest."
"Yes, that was me inside your thoughts. I was the one that had Celestia send Rainbow Dash to help you. I also see that the orb was successful in its task to find you," Twilight replied. Eldon looked down at the orb to find it glowing white again, except this time it was much more noticeable.
"Wait..." Eldon began to say slowly. "You... you sent this orb to find me? Why?" He didn't notice that his voice began to rise in anger. "Why am I here? What do you possibly want with me? Tell me!" He slammed a hoof on the table, making it shudder beneath the impact.
"Eldon, you must calm down," Luna said, trying to soothe him. "Please, let Twilight finish." Eldon took his hoof off the table and glared at Twilight, waiting for an answer. He didn't mean to react so negatively, but after being ripped from his home and transformed into something he didn't want to be, Eldon had to release stress somehow. All eyes were on Twilight as she took a deep breath and sighed.
"Because Eldon... and I know this might sound a bit crazy, but I believe that you... that you are the One."
The... One? What the hell is she talking about? Eldon thought. "Twilight, I don't understand what you are saying. Surely this was all a big misunderstanding right? Right?"
"No Eldon. I believe— no, I know that it must be you. I've spent the last couple of weeks researching, experimenting, and perfecting a spell, a spell that would enable me to find the One in our time of need. I used the spell on that orb in your necklace to test it, and it brought back you."
Eldon pointed a hoof at himself and began to move his hoof in little circles in front of him. "How can you be for certain that I'm the One?"
Twilight closed her eyes and sighed. "There is a prophecy Eldon, a prophecy that depicted the coming of a being of great power, descending from the heavens in a great ball of fire." Twilight paused and opened her eyes, locking them with Eldon's. "So far it has been right, but you do bring up a good point. How can we be certain that you have a great power within you? We aren't certain, so that's why I can't tell you the rest of the prophecy, not until we obtain a little bit more evidence, but for now, you are all we have. Did you notice anything strange when you arrived here? I want to know if the spell had any side effects"
Besides not being human and being a pony, yeah, there was one thing, Eldon thought. "I noticed that there were blackened symbols on my haunches."
"Eldon, that is your cutie mark, all ponies in Equestria gain them eventually, but to be honest you're the first one I've seen that looks to have..." Twilight walked around the table to get a closer look at Eldon. "...Actually lost it. Interesting."
"Lost my... cutie mark? How is that even possible?" Eldon asked.
"Well... I'm not too sure myself," Twilight replied. "But I remember something in Star Swirl's notes that says that the loss of a cutie mark could only be accomplished by extremely doubting what you are meant for, or a huge magical disruption which affects the pony's cutie mark. Perhaps bringing you here is what caused it to blacken out..." Eldon nodded, glad to have received at least some clarification about the marks when something in his thoughts began to bug him.
"What should I do about the orb Twilight? Is it relevant anymore?" Eldon asked.
Twilight frowned ever so slightly. "To be honest, I'm not too sure Eldon. I gave it a purpose and it already fulfilled its task. It's probably just a decorative piece again." The glow being emitted from the orb slowly faded away.
"Ah, I see, well I'll keep it anyway because I've grown rather attached to it now," Eldon replied. He then rested his head on the table, finding it somewhat hard to take in everything he had just heard.
Celestia cleared her throat which allowed her to gain everypony's attention. "Eldon, you must listen to me very closely. I know that this was a lot for you to take in, but I trust Twilight, and I now need you to trust me."
Eldon looked up at Celestia. "I'm listening."
"If Twilight's words are true, then I must send you with her to Ponyville to have her learn more about you," Celestia continued. "We can't risk you falling prey to whatever darkness that plagues us and Canterlot is too a risky place for you to stay currently. You and Twilight shall leave on the next train to Ponyville immediately." Eldon raised his head off the table and he and Twilight both nodded. "This council meeting is adjourned for today, we'll all meet again at the same time next week. Oh, and Eldon?"
"Yes your highness? What is it?" Eldon asked as his eyes met with hers.
"While you are in Ponyville, try to make some friends, the next train leaves in fifteen minutes." Celestia smiled warmly before she returned to the throne with Luna, causing the table to disappear behind them in the process. Twilight trotted over to Shining Armour and Cadance who were just beginning to leave.
"Wait, you both aren't returning to the Crystal Empire already are you?" Twilight asked.
Shining Armor chuckled at Twilight's question. "Oh Twilight, I'm just escorting Cadance to the train station so she can return to the Crystal Empire. I have some important work to complete here still, and besides, somepony needs to rule the Crystal ponies right?"
"Oh, right, of course! Stay safe you two!"
"And you as well Twilight," Shining Armor replied and he and Cadance left the throne room.
"Come on Twilight! The next train to Ponyville leaves in fifteen minutes! Remember?" Eldon reminded her.
"Oh gosh, we don't want to be late! Hang on, I need to call for Spike," Twilight replied. "Oh Spiiiiiiiiike!" Eldon began to hear the sound of feet thumping rapidly on the floor and Spike appeared at the doorway shortly after.
"I'm right here Twilight, sorry I didn't arrive sooner!" Spike placed his hands on his knees as he panted for breath.
"Oh no way! Spike the dragon, your assistant! I almost forgot about him," Eldon said. Spike walked over to Twilight and Eldon and stopped in front of them, still panting for breath.
"Wh- who is this guy?" Spike asked as he pointed a claw at Eldon.
"It's a long story Spike, I'll tell you on the train ride back to Ponyville," Twilight answered. "Come on! We are going to be late!" Spike jumped onto Twilight's back and she galloped out of the throne room, with Eldon following close behind.
"Sooo let me get this straight. You brought this pony here in a ball of fire and believe that he is the 'Chosen One'?" Spike asked.
"That's correct Spike, I believe that he might have the necessary abilities in order to stop whatever has been harassing Equestria for these past couple of weeks," Twilight answered. Eldon, Twilight, and Spike were on the train to Ponyville, as ordered by Princess Celestia herself.
"So, uh, Eldon is it? What do you think of Equestria?" Spike asked. "As in, what are your thoughts on the way it is currently?" Eldon turned his head away from the window when he suddenly realized that he was being asked a question.
"Hm? Oh yes! I believe Equestria is a beautiful place. However, I now realize that Equestria can still be a dangerous place as well if you aren't careful," Eldon replied. He returned his gaze to the window, observing the beautiful countryside as the train rushed passed it.
"That's absolutely correct Eldon," Twilight said. "Despite Equestria's beauty and grace, it has also been home to powerful villains. Fortunately, they were stopped in the end, but Equestria's fate has hung in the balance far too many times these past few years."
Spike crossed his arms and smiled. "Yeah! But luckily we had Twilight and her friends stop them! We would have been goners if not for them!"
Twilight blushed and looked away. "Oh Spike, you know we only did what we had to do. Besides, I would rather not think about what would have happened if we failed." The speakers on the train car suddenly crackled to life and made a bing bong sound.
"Attention, this is your conductor speaking. We will be arriving in Ponyville momentarily. Please wait for the train to come to a complete stop and thank you for choosing the Pony Express Line." There was a click as the speaker turned off and multiple ponies began to gather up their belongings.
"Well would you look at that, we are almost there! Looking back on it now, I wish I could have taken the train to Canterlot instead of climbing a broken down trail that almost killed me more than once," Eldon said.
"Wait, what trail are you talking about?" Twilight asked. "Surely you didn't take the—"
"The so-called historic one filled with broken steps and loose rocks that could have sent me to my death? Yep, that's the one," Eldon said, interrupting her.
Twilight's jaw dropped in disbelief. "I- I ordered for that trail to be repaired months ago! It is too historic just to let it fall apart. I'm deeply sorry about that, but if you were travelling on hoof, why didn't you just take the road?"
Eldon rubbed his head, now feeling rather embarrassed. "Yeah... I kind of didn't know about a road or the train until after I finished climbing the mountain," he said quietly as Twilight stifled a giggle.
"Well, at least you are here, and currently that is what matters most," Twilight replied. Eldon began to stand up when Twilight used her magic and forced him to stay seated.
"Hey, what was that for?" Eldon asked, rather annoyed.
"We can't leave the train just yet," Twilight said. "Besides, I think you'll need a new name while we are here to keep your identity a secret, just for your own safety."
"Isn't Eldon a good enough name already?" he asked her. Twilight looked at him as if worms were crawling out of his ears. "Bah! Fine, let's come up with something good then." The two began to come up with possible names when Spike raised his hand.
"Ooh ooh! Can I help pick a name?" Spike asked.
"Of course Spike, come up with as many names as you like," Twilight replied and smiled, happy at the fact that Spike wanted to help. All three of them sat pondering in their seats when Spike was the first to speak.
"Oh oh! How about Shadow Horn?" Spike asked. "Or Brownie Top? Or Black Hoof? Or Ocean Breeze? No wait, that one is already taken..." Eldon shook his head at all the names Spike mentioned. "Drat, I'll see if I can come up with some more then."
"I got it!" Twilight exclaimed. "Eldon, based upon your appearance, I think your name should be—" She whispered it into his ear. His face lit up and he smiled.
"Wow Twilight, that's actually... I that's actually a pretty good name. I like it!" Eldon exclaimed. " Cosmic Fire. Not bad Twilight, thank you."
"Oh it's no big deal, really. It's just that when you appeared here, you were surrounded by fire. It's not that great too be honest, but it's better than nothing"
"You know, I was just about to mention that name," Spike said. Eldon and Twilight looked at each other and burst out laughing as the train came to a complete stop. "We're here! Come on guys!" As their laughter died down, Twilight was finally able to respond.
"O-okay Spike, we're going, we're going," Twilight said. The first to get off was Spike, followed by Twilight, who were both suddenly met with cries of joy and excitement.
"Welcome home Twilight!" the orange pony said. "We're mighty glad you made it back safely."
"Oh girls! This is a wonderful surprise! But really, I was fine the whole time Applejack," Twilight replied. "But I do appreciate seeing all of you here." The pink pony was bouncing up and down at a constant pace and butt-checked Applejack out of the way.
"Twilight! Twilight! Twilight! You got my letters right!? You opened them right!? Did you like what I wrote? I missed you sooooo much! This calls for a welcome back party!" the pink one shouted with glee.
Twilight giggled and put her hoof on the pink pony's shoulder, causing her to stop bouncing. "Yes Pinkie Pie, I got your letters, and a party sounds like a wonderful idea! I'm glad to see you too." Pinkie's face lit up with joy when she heard she was allowed to throw a party.
"Ooo ooo! I better get my party cannon! I'll be right back!" she said and bounced off, disappearing in the distance shortly after.
"Darling, it's absolutely delightful to know that you are all right. We were worried when you left us a note saying you and Spike were heading to Canterlot to take care of some urgent business," the white Unicorn said.
Twilight turned to face the Unicorn and smiled. "Everything turned out all right Rarity, I'm just glad to be back."
"Excellent! Now I need your honest opinion dear, how do I look in this new dress I made?" Rarity asked and did a little spin. It was a simple royal blue dress, not too flashy, but not dull either.
"You look gorgeous Rarity! A masterpiece like always!" Twilight said.
Rarity blushed at her comment. "Oh Twilight, you always flatter me!" She stepped back as the yellow Pegasus that was there walked up to Twilight .
"Hi Twilight, it's nice to have you home again," the yellow Pegasus said softly.
"Thank you Fluttershy, how have you and Discord been?" Twilight asked.
"Oh, I'm doing just fine thank you, Discord's busy attending to the animals while I'm gone. He has been getting better ever since T- Tirek was defeated."
"That's good to hear," Twilight said and she gave Fluttershy a warm smile.
"Hey Twilight, why'd you take the train? You know how slow they are," the light blue Pegasus said. Her name was true to the colour of her mane which was made up of not one colour, but six. Orange, red, green, blue, purple and a pale yellow.
"Nice to see you again Rainbow Dash, and I took the train because I didn't feel like flying, plus I brought somepony you will be sure to know," Twilight replied. Eldon at this time decided to finally reveal himself to the others. He stepped off the train and walked over to Twilight's side.
"Uh, I don't mean to be rude or nothin, but Twilight, who the hay is that?" Applejack asked. Twilight opened her mouth to reply, but Rainbow Dash was faster.
"Oh him? That's the stranger that I saved yesterday from the Everfree Forest! Saved him from the diamond dogs!"
"And you couldn't ah told us all this before?" Applejack asked.
Rainbow Dash gave her a guilty smile and shrugged. "I was underneath an oath, but since Twilight's here, I felt I could now." Twilight then placed her left forehoof on Applejack's shoulder.
"Applejack, Rainbow Dash had a good reason to keep this secret, I'm sorry if we hurt your feelings," Twilight said. Applejack relaxed before dipping her head.
"It's okay Twilight, I understand," Applejack said. "After all we've been through before, I couldn't possibly stay mad at y'all." Twilight smiled and hugged Applejack, glad that she wasn't upset.
"Thanks for understanding Applejack. Now without further delay, everypony, this is El- I mean, Cosmic Fire. Cosmic, these are my friends."
This. Is. Amazing. I'm actually standing here. With Twilight and her friends. Talking to them! "It's an honor to finally meet all of you," Eldon said. The orb around his neck glowed softly but none of them noticed it.
"So, uh, Cosmic, how did you meet up with Twilight here?" Applejack asked. Eldon went to respond but Twilight spoke first.
"Everypony, we'll have time to ask questions back at my home, it's safer there, and away from any prying eyes, if you know what I mean." Everypony nodded in agreement and they left the train station, with Spike and Eldon following close behind.
Pinkie Pie arrived back at the train station, dragging her party cannon behind her. "All right everypony! I brought my party cannon! Let's get this party started!" She looked around and noticed that she was the only one there, but she saw that they were leaving, and that a strange pony was also with them. "Oh! Wait for me!" She galloped after them with her party cannon in tow.