//------------------------------// // Meeting the Crew // Story: The Magic and Mysteries of Friendship // by The Stainmore Phoenix //------------------------------// Celestia stood in front of a lavender unicorn, with a dark lavender and light pink mane. She had a star cutie mark on her flank and a purple and green baby dragon. Celestia was telling the unicorn that she needed to get away from Canterlot and make friends. “But…” the unicorn protested. “We have to…” “No “buts”, Twilight,” Celestia said. “I want you to make friends. I promised your parents that you would.” “Twilight” sighed and looked at her teacher. Why was Celestia so adamant about “Twilight” making friends? Then again, Celestia had the best interest of her student at heart, which was a relief. “Twilight” looked at Celestia. “I take it that I’m to use the Royal Carriage?” she asked. “Well, no,” Celestia said. “I’m to use the Royal Carriage for Royal duties. I’ve arranged for a small train to take you to Ponyville, seeing as the driver was available. I gave a pony by the name of Dragonstorm, a former Plain Clothes Royal Alicorn Regiment Alicorn, who made the rank of Brigadier General. Your to meet him at the station.” “An Alicorn who isn’t royalty?” “Twilight” asked. “Is there anything else I need to know about him?” “He has an older brother, named Dangersignal. He was also a former Plain Clothes Royal Alicorn Regiment Alicorn, who made the rank of Field Marshal, or Five Star General.” “Twilight” eye ticked! Dangersignal was only a myth! He couldn’t exist! “Twilight” wanted to complain, but Celestia showed her a photograph of the two Alicorns. Celestia used her horn to point out a dark red Alicorn, no mane, a fiery orange tail and the same dark red color for his eyes. His horn was the same length as Celestia’s. On his flank was a strange looking thing called a Semaphore Signal, set at a position called “Danger”. “So, he’s real?” “Twilight” mused. “What happened to him?” “Keep this quiet,” Celestia said. “I sent him and his younger brother to Ponyville, but me and the guards, including your older brother, Shining Armor, agreed that he had perished when he tried to protect me from Nightmare Moon.” “Twilight” simply stared, blankly at Celestia. She had come up with a collaboration lie to give this pony a mythological status. What was wrong with the leader of Equestria? “Twilight” knew that Celestia always did things out of the best interest, but something about him made her change to a more vulnerable state, almost like he had been a brother to her and it pained her to lie about him. “Twilight” wanted to press more, but a knock sounded. Celestia called out for the knocker to come in. The doors swung open to reveal a coal and oil stained earth pony. “The train awaits,” he said. “Baggage is loaded and all we need are the passengers.” Celestia nuzzled “Twilight” towards the door, saying that she’ll enjoy Ponyville. “Twilight” wanted to stay behind. She had many questions about Dangersignal, but Celestia said that Dragonstorm would answer them. The earth pony lead “Twilight” to a ornately designed coach with the word “Pullman” painted on the chocolate stripe at the bottom of the coach. Holding the door, the earth pony said that the journey would be slow, as we’re running with a tank engine and running backwards. “I thought all engines turned around?” “Twilight” quizzed. “Not tank engines. They’re good a running both forwards and backwards. They’re not like tender engines,” the earth pony said. “Twilight” nodded. She made a mental note to see if there were books on this subject. Of course, the one pony who’d know had to be Dragonstorm, or even Dangersignal. Once in the coach, the door was shut and the earth pony jumped into the engine and waited for the guard’s whistle. “Twilight” stared out the coach window, watching families and friends uniting and even reuniting after being away from each other for so long. “Just imagine,” The baby dragon said. “You having friends! Wouldn’t it be great?” “Not really,” “Twilight” huffed. “Spike, get your head out of the clouds.” “Spike” gave her a side long glance and continued to try and cheer her up. A whistle rang out, followed by a different whistle, then the train lurched into motion. The station slipped away from her sight, the sea of ponies began to shrink until the train reached the tunnel leading down to Ponyville. “Twilight” could hear “Spike” munching away at gems. She felt out of place, despite her mentor’s assurances that she’d be fine. “Twilight” thought the slow journey would clear her mind and she could actually make good judgment calls about who her friends would be. As she played with the idea, the train seemed to slow even more, then stop completely. “Twilight” looked out. She saw something glowing red and the driver heading over to a strange box with a large brick base that raised it off the ground. Some time later, he came up to the coach and after entering, he looked at “Twilight”. “A goods train has come off the rails and a work gang is clearing up the mess,” he said. “We’re to wait until it’s been cleared.” “Thank you for telling me,” “Twilight” said. The driver went back to the engine and waited. Time stood still for the waiting train. There came some clanking noises as what appeared to be a train of strange looking open topped steel boxes filled with large black square looking objects shuffled passed. “Twilight” looked at the cab of a strange looking engine, where she had to blink and do a double take. She thought she saw an Alicorn standing in the cab, which matched the photograph she saw when Celestia bid her farewell. ‘My mind must be playing up,’ she thought. As she snapped out of her thoughts, there came a clanking noise. She peeked out of the coach to see the red glow change to a green glow. The engine whistled in acknowledgement of the color change and began to move the train. Clanking through the countryside, “Twilight” couldn’t help but admit that the scenery was pretty. Soon, the engine whistled again and the train slowly clanked over strange tracks. “Twilight” watched as the train slowed down and stopped. She jumped out of the coach and stared. The train was in a bay platform, instead of on a platform with no barrier. “Why’d we come over here?” she asked the driver, as he aided “Spike” down. “We can’t block the “through” roads,” came the reply. “This wasn’t a “through” train, so we weren’t cleared for that road. Besides, we need to unload the baggage coach.” “Twilight” nodded and helped them. A blast of two sounded out and a fast train screamed through the station. That startled the unicorn and baby dragon, who just about fell into the baggage coach. “Yeesh,” “Twilight” huffed. “Can’t they be decent to somepony unloading their own baggage?” “That was the Crystal Cannonball,” came a voice. “The fastest train here on the Equestrian Railway network. It’s a through train coming from Horseshoe Bay and ends it’s journey at Canterlot. The original destination of the train was ripped up some thousand years ago, for “reconstruction” purpose.” “Twilight” wheeled around. Standing there was an Alicorn. He had sea green eyes, bright red coat, fiery orange mane and tail. He wore a lime green pocket vest. On his flank was a sleeping dragon surrounded by a lime green flame aura. He had a smile and had the air of being a pleasant sort. “Welcome to Ponyville,” he said. “Name, Dragonstorm. Former plain clothes guard from the Alicorn Regiment of the Royal Guard. Made rank of Brigadier General (That’s a one star general), younger brother of Dangersignal and Ponyville’s temporary librarian.” “Pleasure to meet you. I’m Twilight Sparkle, student of Celestia,” Twilight said. “And I’m her assistant, Spike,” the baby dragon said. “Pleased to make your acquaintance,” he said. “Here, let’s get your bags onto this cart and I’ll take you to the library.” The two spent their time loading the cart and once Twilight and Spike were resting comfortably in the cart, Dragonstorm harnessed himself up and began to pull it towards the library. “You seem like a fine sort of Alicorn,” Twilight said. “But pardon me asking, why do you live here?” “Ponyville is home to all sorts of interesting ponies, but there was no dedicated “odd jobs” pony. Princess Celestia figured that an Alicorn could easily fit the bill,” he explained. “She would have done it, but considering that she’s royalty, it would have been looked down upon, so me and Dangersignal were chosen.” “That brings to that, how were you chosen?” she asked. “Shining Armor,” he said. “He said that we could easily pass as Alicorn plain clothes guards, so as not to raise suspicion whenever a Grand Galloping Gala was held in the castle.” “You actually worked for and under Shining Armor?” she asked, her eyes widening in surprise. “Yes, he’s your older brother,” Dragonstorm chuckled. “Let me guess, your excited to actually meet a former guard who worked under him?” “Your correct,” she squeaked in sheer delight. “What was it like? Hard work? Back and spirit breaking?” “Remember when I said that I was a plain clothes Alicorn guard?” Dragonstorm said. “Yes,” Twilight said. “That’s what I was. I worked whatever hours I chose, but he was still my superior, so he could call me at a moment’s notice. He was understanding of any situation and let me make judgment calls based on what I knew. My older brother was also a plain clothes Alicorn guard. After some…unpleasant circumstances, Shining Armor pretty much decided we needed a change of pace.” “Ah,” Twilight said. Dragonstorm stopped and pointed to a large oak door. On it was a brass plaque with the words “Ponyville Library” engraved on it. “We’re here,” he said, dropping the harness. “Why don’t you tour the library while I move your bags inside.” Twilight agreed and went inside while Dragonstorm unloaded her bags. He made light work of the job and stayed to help her unpack her belongings: quills, ink bottles, brushes, parchment, some of her sentimental toys, several small locked journals, and several of her old school books. “Thank you for your help,” Twilight said. “Would you mind me asking you-what do you think about having friends.” Dragonstorm gave her a dirty glare. The unicorn shrank slightly back, surprised by the change in the Alicorn’s normally happy demeanor. “I take it that the idea of having friends is not a good idea,” she said. He nodded. Twilight noticed something else, pain. To her, seeing pain in an Alicorn was a surprise. She was also surprised to see him shed tears. “Can you expand on your experience with friends?” she asked. “It’s not a happy experience. All my “friends” were only there when they needed something, or when it suited their own needs,” he said. “After a while, I just started to close myself off to having friends. The only time I ever made “friends” was when I was working as a royal guard.” “Ah,” Twilight said. “Can you explain your “working friendships”? It does sound rather interesting.” “I worked with Thestrals. Four in particular: Shaydefire, Shadow Prowler, Blazeblade and Darkseige. They knew me well and were also Princess Luna’s guards.” “Really?” Twilight asked. “Yes,” said Dragonstorm. “When Princess Luna became Nightmare Moon, the Thestrals were left without work. Many of them left and took refuge in the Everfree Forest, as they would be considered monsters. Those four Thestrals became Ponyville’s police force, after Celestia put in a good word for them.” “Ah, so they know you?” she asked. “Yes, after all, I do help with patrols at night, when I’m not out taking mail trains,” Dragonstorm said. Twilight asked some more questions, which Dragonstorm answered promptly. When all of that was finished, he used his magic, represented by lime green ethereal magic, to grip and pull out a list. Unfolding it, he pulled out some glasses and settled them on his muzzle, now feeling embarrassed that Twilight had to see that. “Need them to read,” he said. “Diagnosed with nearsightedness when I was a unicorn.” Twilight wanted to comfort him, but kept her distance. He was a great pony to be around, but all magic textbooks state that lime green ethereal magic is evil magic. However, he seemed to be invested in the list at the moment and it would take a lot to break his thoughts. She was so far lost in her thoughts that she didn’t hear Dragonstorm calling to her. What got her to snap back to reality was something tickling her nose. It was Dragonstorm’s tail. “Come on, we have to make some runs,” he said. “Celestia wants you to meet a group of ponies. My brother is away until about 11:45 pm. Then again, he’s always away on heavy, slow goods trains, or when not on the rails, he’s on mail duties, weather duties, or odd jobs around Ponyville.” Twilight said that it must be a great responsibility to be an odd jobs pony. Dragonstorm said that it wasn’t only a great responsibility, but at times could be difficult as other ponies kept telling him to go do regal things. Their reasoning-he’s an Alicorn and they’re often associated with regal duties. “That’s the misconception,” he added. “Alicorns are just like any other pony, they want to do what they can and they want to be respected by everyone.” Twilight nodded, then looked at the paper. It was a list, organized by pony type. She then looked at Dragonstorm, who was getting a quill of his own ready. “Meeting some ponies?” she asked. “Correct,” Dragonstorm said. Twilight asked him what was first on the list. He glanced and said that they were to meet the local clothing designer and dry cleaner, Rarity. Dragonstorm rolled his eyes, in a sarcastic manner. “Rarity is known to be rather peculiar,” he said. “She likes everything to be perfect.” “Oh,” Twilight said. “I take it she drives her customers crazy?” “Yes.” The two chuckled and headed off to the big, ornately decorated purple and white building. It was slightly shorter than the town hall, but circular in structure and looked like a carousel. “Carousel Boutique,” Dragonstorm said. “Rarity’s place of business and residence. Be careful, the place has a tendency to be in a constant state of “organized chaos”.” Twilight gave a slightly amused chuckle. Dragonstorm knocked and was told to enter. Pushing the door open, they saw a white unicorn with three diamonds on her flank, purple mane and tail looking over a ponyequin, with tape measures, fabrics, scissors and all sorts of sewing materials coming towards her. Her horn was giving off a light blue ethereal magic glow, which was bringing her equipment to her. “If we aren’t interrupting anything important, Ms. Rarity, Ms. Twilight Sparkle, student of Princess Celestia has arrived,” Dragonstorm said. Rarity set all her equipment down and rushed over, looking at Twilight with eyes that said she was very much delighted to meet a student sent directly to Ponyville from Princess Celestia. “My, darling, how nice of you to join us,” she said. “These guards can be quite the bore, always so prompt and not wasting words.” “Oi!” Dragonstorm said, a cheeky grin on his face. “Not all of us are tight winders like my older brother!” Rarity laughed and place a hoof around Dragonstorm’s neck and pulled him into a light hug. “I love giving you a hard time,” she said. Dragonstorm chuckled and after they cleaned up Rarity’s shop, Dragonstorm and Twilight headed out to find the next pony. Dragonstorm consulted his list and grinned. “Next is our local bands mare, Soundstar,” he said. “She works with the Ponyville Brass Band.” Twilight grinned. Music always seemed to calm her down. Dragonstorm explained that he often listened to classical music to soothe himself after dealing with angry passengers, who always get their kicks complaining about everything. “Really?” she asked. “Like what?” “Oh, they complain if the train is on time, early, late, slow, fast, delayed, overloaded, under loaded, the engine is too big or too small, the train has too many coaches or not enough coaches, there are dirty trucks on the train, the wrong Alicorn is driving the train, that Alicorns are driving the trains and doing dirty work. The list goes on,” he said. Twilight looked at him. If he could put up with that, then it seemed that he could put up with anything. As her thoughts began racing around, she wasn’t paying any attention and bumped into Dragonstorm. She backed up and noticed a large auditorium. It seemed taller and bigger than most of the buildings in Ponyville. On the door was a brass plaque with “Celestial Theatre” engraved in the brass. Dragonstorm chuckled as Twilight shrank back. “Scared of theatres?” he asked. “It reminds me of the Canterlot schools,” Twilight said. “I know the feeling,” he said. “Then again, I took theatre classes when I was a student in Canterlot. Mostly improv, which was one of the deciding factors of me becoming an Alicorn and working as a plain clothes guard. My brother was in the regular theatre classes, and he was able to fill any role without being seen or even notices. "The pony no pony ever notices" he was called. The title certainly fits, as he is often never noticed.” “Ah,” she said. Dragonstorm opened the large mahogany doors of the theatre, which lead to a vestibule, where tickets were collected. The sounds of Beethoven’s fifth symphony drifted up to their ears. Dragonstorm gave a contented sigh and pushed open the doors leading from the vestibule to the theatre proper. The interior of the theatre had all sorts of red carpeting, regal blue curtains and royal purple cushion upholstery. Catwalks, booms, flies, and spotlights decorated the ceiling. The stage was covered in ponies with trombones, violins, trumpets, and other symphonic instruments. Standing there, was a dull egg white unicorn, with a dull olive green mane and tail. On her flank was a star formed from several different music notes. Her horn glowed an ethereal black magic, which was helping her conduct the band. The two watching ponies took front row seats to watch the performance. Once the music stopped, the unicorn turned around and nearly collapsed in surprise. “Dragonstorm, you could have said something!” she snapped. “Don’t ever pop in like that and sit here silently! You know I hate that!” “I didn’t want to interrupt your orchestrating,” he said. “Before you continue in your tirade, here’s Celestia’s pupil, Twilight Sparkle.” The two unicorns hit it off well and after a few minutes of them chatting about, Dragonstorm and Twilight left. “”Next up is the unicorn named Amplitude,” Dragonstorm said. “What does she do?” Twilight asked. “Repairs instruments and is the local choir master,” Dragonstorm replied. They met the others in due course. Amplitude had a dull light gray coat, a dark tan mane and tail. On her flank was a sound bar, in the red. She spent her time in the local instrument shop, cleaning the brass band’s instruments. Aquatis Storm, the first of the pegasi that they were to meet worked in the Gold Pot Pharmacy. He had a dark sea blue coat with a light sea green mane and tail. On his flank was a storm cloud, with lightning, rains and the white outlines of thunder. He had a strange accent, but he decided not to talk about it. After that visit, they made their way to see Hurricane, who was another stallion Pegasi. He had a dull yellow coat, storm gray mane and tail. He had storm gray eyes and on his flank was a hurricane. He also had a strange accent. He spent his time in the clouds, as did another Pegasus. Rainbow Dash was clearing clouds as the two ponies walked towards her. She had a cyan coat and wings, a rainbow mane and tail. She had a cloud with a rainbow colored lightning bolt shooting out from the cloud on her flank. She only waved to the Alicorn, who waved back. The glanced around, in hopes of spotting the other pegasi. It wasn’t long until they came upon Storm Burst. She had a storm gray coat, mane and tail. She wore a light storm gray windbreaker jacket. She too waved to the Alicorn who waved back. The last pegasi lived in a cottage cut into a large Douglas Fir tree. She had a bright yellow coat and pink mane and tail. To say that she was nervous was an understatement. She didn’t want to see Dragonstorm because she was nervous about his new companion. Twilight felt hurt. “Oh, that’s Fluttershy,” he said. “She’s always nervous about making new friends. In fact, she and Dangersignal haven’t even seen each other, and she’s nervous about meeting him.” “Ah,” Twilight said. “But why? I mean, he’s your brother.” “Well, any pony who shares the exact same height and horn length as Celestia must be important, or misconception number one,” he said. Twilight nodded. Dragonstorm consulted the list and chuckled. He then turned to Twilight and pointed to a dirt road. “The next set of ponies on this list are Earth Ponies and one I know well, Applejack, lives just down this road here,” he said. Twilight just about blank faced. How did he know so many ponies? How many ponies knew him? Questions raced around in Twilight’s mind, which remained at the back of her mind as she followed the Alicorn down the dirt road. They soon reached a clearing where an orange earth pony with a yellow mane and tail pulled into ponytails. She wore a Stetson hat and a rather pleased smile at the work she did. She turned around to see Dragonstorm standing there with Twilight. The two mares chatted away until Applejack was interrupted by a giant light maroon stallion with a dark blond mane and tail, with a Big Macintosh apple on his flank. “Pleasure’s mine, and Dragonstorm, tell yer brother to stop hangin round them wagons,” Applejack said. They headed back into town, where Dragonstorm continued northward. Twilight had to gallop to keep pace and ask him where they were going. “An orchid growing earth Pony named White Orchid. He’s rather comfortable talking about anything and making friends with any pony who is willing to be a good friend,” Dragonstorm said. “I’d recommend making friends with him. He lives and works in a green house, so we‘re going to his place of residence and work.” “Ah,” Twilight said. They soon reached a giant glass building. On the door was a plaque, with the words “Winter Orchids” engraved into the brass of the plaque. Twilight was astounded by the flowers, which all looked pretty. Dragonstorm proceeded to name every single orchid in the building. “Ah, so I see you brought a visitor,” a voice said. A white stallion appeared. He had a black mane and tail and on his flank was a Phalaenopsis Aphrodite orchid flower. He wore a dirty smock and had a cross pollination brush tucked behind his ear. He was smiling broadly and offered Twilight a white orchid, to place in her mane. “Thank you,” she said. “Your welcome,” he said. “My name is White Orchid, by the way.” “Twilight Sparkle.” “That’s a rather nice name,” he said. “Well, I have work to do and you have other ponies to meet. I hope to see you for the Summer Sun Celebration.” Twilight smiled and followed Dragonstorm to the local bakery, named “Sugar Cube Corner”. He knocked and was let in by a bright pink mare with a dark pink mane and tail, all puffed up like cotton candy. She had three balloons on her flank. “Hi” she squeaked excitedly. “A new friend?! We must have a party!” “Not yet, Pinkie Pie,” Dragonstorm said. “I’m introducing you to her. The party will be later, after my brother gets off work.” Pinkie smiled and introduced herself to Twilight, then they left to see another earth pony while Pinkie went off to make the treats. Dragonstorm made some notes on the list and continued onwards with his task. They reached a small shop, which tended to gems and cut them if they were way too big for any usage. Rarity had said she made good use of the store and had introduced Dragonstorm to the owner, an earth pony with a dull ruby coat, bright sapphire mane and dull emerald tail. She had bright crystal blue eyes and four gems on her flank. Her name was Gemstone. Dragonstorm introduced the two ponies and let them chatter away, about some of their aspirations. He listened with keen interest, as it was the only conversation that seemed to have some semblance of substance, especially when they started talking about the Grand Galloping Gala and their dreams of going to it. When they finished, it was dark and the moon shone brightly as Dragonstorm made their way around the now deserted town. Dragonstorm was on his guard, as the night brought about undesirables. Twilight began to see the Alicorn in a different light, tense and very concerned for his companion. “Stay close to me,” Dragonstorm said. “The night brings out trouble. Trouble that has no rhyme or reason to be there except to destroy property, steal and cause all sorts of trouble for the honest and law abiding ponies. Trust me, I take my job as a guard and officer seriously and don‘t want any ill harm to befall you.” Twilight saw that Dragonstorm’s wings were tensed up and curled, as if they were holding something. She moved in close to him, and hoped that none of the revenge driven ponies would find them. Five shapes moved around in the night skies. Dragonstorm looked around, his mane, tail and coat all on edge. Twilight felt both safe and scared at the same time. She wanted to have Dragonstorm’s wing around her to show he was going to protect her, but she realized he needed his wings in case some revenge seeker had a weapon and the Alicorn had to disable that pony. The shapes stopped and formed a line, with a strange looking pony standing in front. Dragonstorm and the strange pony exchanged salutes. Twilight then noticed that they were Thestrals. They all looked the same-ponies with bat wings and black armor. Each one gave a salute and reported their rank and name. “Battery Sergeant Major Shaydefire, reporting in, Brigadier General Dragonstorm.” “Private Darkseige, reporting in, Brigadier General Dragonstorm.” “Officer Blazeblade, reporting in, Brigadier General Dragonstorm.” “Officer Shadow Prowler, reporting in, Brigadier General Dragonstorm.” “Officer Knightstrike, reporting in, Brigadier General Dragonstorm.” “Thank you,” came the Alicorn’s reply. “Any news?” “None, sir,” Shaydefire said. “That is good, Battery Sergeant Major,” Dragonstorm said. “I need to get my guest back to her residence.” “Let us accompany you,” Shaydefire said. “She will need you to be ever vigilant and there to comfort her. Fear, at this time, is always prevalent.” Dragonstorm agreed and they were going to get into ranks when a figure landed in front of them. Twilight blinked again, and this time had to shake her head. There stood the same dark red Alicorn that she had “imagined’ in the cab of a passing goods train. He looked at them. “Field Marshal Dangersignal,” Shaydefire said. “We were accompanying Brigadier General Dragonstorm and his unicorn companion to the unicorn’s residence.” “Glad to see you carrying out your duties,” he said. He had a deep and gruff voice, which sounded like that of a hunting Timberwolf. He then turned to Twilight, who was now feeling scared. “Name, please,” Dangersignal said. “T…tw…twi…Twilight Sparkle. Student to Celestia,” Twilight stuttered out. “Pleased to make your acquaintance. Now, where do you live?” he asked. “The library,” she said. Dangersignal nodded. He turned to Dragonstorm and the dark red Alicorn asked the question. “Did you take her to meet the ponies on Celestia’s list?” he asked. “Yes, and they’ve agreed to meet us at the location chosen by you, sir,” Dragonstorm said. “Correct. Carry on. I shall accompany you, to keep our honored guest safe,” Dangersignal said. Twilight’s brain almost broke. Dangersignal, Celestia’s former guard, was accompanying the group? She must be hearing things. She looked to her right, and there he was, his left wing over her to show he was going to protect her no matter what. The group made their way to the library when a shape darted passed them in the impossibly darkened ally between Sugar Cube Corner and the postal office. The seven former guards all tensed as an earth pony scampered away with a basket of fruits. Dangersignal checked to see that Twilight was now scared beyond belief and that fear anchored her in place. His horn glowed a dull red ethereal magic and Twilight soon found herself on his back, anchored there by the magic. “Let’s double time it,” Dangersignal said. “Twilight is scared and needs to be in her home, where it’s safe.” The group double timed it, with the Thestrals and the bright red Alicorn all taking to the air after sheathing their standard issue Royal Guard throwing knives. Dangersignal galloped along the ground. Taking to the air with his rider would be risky, as she could easily distract him and his magic wouldn’t hold her. They reached the library in good time and Dragonstorm rush opened the door, frightening the others inside. Dangersignal slid into the library and after the last Thestral entered, Dragonstorm shut the door and locked it. The library’s lights were off, so the only light was the silvery moon shining through the windows. Shadows and eyes peered at the group. Dragonstorm’s horn glowed it’s trademark lime green ethereal magic and the lights burst into life, revealing the ponies that he and Twilight met. Dangersignal gave a sigh and released Twilight from his ethereal magic. She looked at Dangersignal, who was glancing around at the group. “About time you made yourself known to us,” White Orchid teased. “I enjoy my time on the heavy mineral, general and steel goods trains; shunting around the yards and even doing some banker duties on the railway,” he said, with a teasing grin. Twilight could see a quick change in the dark red Alicorn’s demeanor from a strict guard to a cheeky, happy and even fun loving pony. It was a surprising change, but Dangersignal looked around at the group. “Are you all clear on tomorrow’s duties?” he asked. “Clear as crystal, darling,” Rarity said. “Right, if you guys want, instead of dispersing to your homes, you can stay in the railway ponies spare bunk rooms at the sheds,” Dangersignal said. “This is Twilight’s home and right now, we’re invading her peace and quiet.” The group agreed, but before they left, Dragonstorm had to let out his cheeky side. “Can I get a piece of that quiet?” he asked. “Come on, we’ve got beds with our names on them,” Dangersignal chuckled. “and keep your cheekiness at bay. Your going to be on the balcony where your going to pull the curtains aside to reveal Celestia, in all her glory.” “Right, well, let’s get going. The Thestrals should go back on patrol,” Dragonstorm said. It was agreed upon. After leaving the library, the Thestrals took to the air and the rest of the ponies headed towards the railway ponies bunk room, which was just beyond the “down goods” platform. They had tons to do and very little time to carry it all out.