Applejack trotted up to a large, fat stallion. "Scuze me, but do you know of anypony who may be willin' to help us fight back against Nightmare Moon?" The stallion, whom had a short, pale sandy mane and a brown body with a red and blue underbelly scratched his head.
"Fight back against Nightmare Moon?" he replied in a deep voice. "Seems rather foolish to me. However, I do know of a rather kind young mare who I am pretty sure would always fight for justice. I probably shouldn't be telling you about her though, especially since I haven't the courage to go up against our leader. Anyways, she used to be a student of mine."
"Tell us her name, now!" Pinkie Pie snapped.
"Hold your horses," the stallion grinned. "That's no way to speak to a teacher!"
"Sorry about Pinkie," Twilight shoved the pony out of the way. "Please, please, please can you tell us her name?"
"Be nicer to your friend." He smirked.
"That's it!" Twilight snarled. "Sorry, Pinkie! Just tell us, please!"
He laughed. "Her name is Melody Jayheart. She's a unicorn with very powerful magic. As well as that, she can temporarily transform into an alicorn. But-"
"Thank you very much!" Twilight guessed he was quite the storyteller. "Finally a pony who knows that what Nightmare Moon is doing is wrong!"
"Everypony knows that," he replied. "Don't lose faith in them so easily. Anyway, as I was saying-"
The six ponies cantered away.
"Hey, come back!" He called. They were gone.
"We have no idea where she lives!" Fluttershy whispered.
"Then let's ask somepony." Rarity replied.
"I'm not sure about that!" Fluttershy squeaked, but Rarity had scurried up to a dark blue mare.
"Do you know where Melody Jayheart lives?"
"If you do," Pinkie bounced over. "You better tell us or-"
Twilight groaned, dragging the pink pony away so that she couldn't threaten the other pony. "Oh yes, I do!" the mare didn't even hesitate. "She lives at this address." she got out a pen and wrote on Twilight's hoof. "There!" She grinned.
"Thank you!" Twilight replied. The six ponies scurried off again. Now they just had to hope that Melody was home.
It didn't take long for them to reach Melody's house. It was a small apartment, quite old, and a modest place. Twilight wasn't quite sure how to feel about it, but she approached warily. Applejack knocked incredibly loudly.
No answer.
Suddenly, there was a tap on Twilight's shoulder. It was Fluttershy. The yellow pegasus pointed to one of the house's windows, and Twilight saw a small, pudgy, pale blue face staring back. As soon as the pony realised she had been seen, she quickly darted away. Twilight took a deep breath. "Excuse me!" she yelled. "Sorry to disturb you, but we really need to speak!"
"We're not here to hurt you!" Applejack added. Pinkie began to growl, and Applejack glared at her. "Honest!"
The door slowly opened, and Twilight saw the pony fully for the whole time. She had a pale blue coat with a brown, magneta and violet mane and tail. Her cutie mark was a heart, half black, half white, that was on fire.
"Are you Melody Jayheart?" Pinkie asked briskly.
"Y-yes." The unicorn trembled.
"May we come in?" Twilight asked.
Melody was silent for a few seconds, then she whispered. "Umm... okay?"
A few minutes later the seven ponies were gathered inside. "Is it true you can turn into an alicorn?" Twilight queried. She sure was interested.
"You mean, a pony with a horn and wings?" She replied.
"Yes." What else did you think I meant?
"I can," she replied. "But I don't really, you know, like talking about it..."
"Why not?" Rarity asked. "My, if I had such a wonderful ability, I would make sure it was constantly the talk of the town!"
"Well, you see, I can't like, turn into an alicorn at will-"
"Whaaaaat?" Pinkie interrupted. "Hold up, what makes you so special then?"
"Well, I'm not sure. Something, I guess," Melody fiddled with her leopard patterned glasses. "It may be a concidence, but I often turn into an alicorn when I feel a very powerful emotion. I very nearly transformed back there, when you knocked on the door. I was really scared, you see. That pegasus there," she pointed at Fluttershy. "Well, I suppose she saved me. I looked into her eyes, and, I don't know... I felt safe. I feel as though I can actually trust you guys."
Fluttershy blushed.
"Anyway, when I do transform, well, because I don't have wings all the time, I don't really know how to fly. And I would probably be too nervous even to properly try. As well as that, it really drains my energy, and I feel very sick and dizzy afterwards... it's not pleasant."
"But you must've gotten used to your gift, right?" Rarity replied.
"I guess so, but I shouldn't have to get used to something so inconvenient and painful! I shouldn't have to be always worrying about it!" Her voice was louder now, as if she was about to rage.
"But you must have the power for a reason," Fluttershy murmured. "You must be a very special pony."
"Everypony is special," Rainbow Dash muttered. "Apart from Nightmare Moon."
"I'll take that as a compliment," Melody replied, embarrassed. "So, what brings you here?"
"We wanted to see if you would help us fight back against Nightmare Moon." Twilight said.
Melody whimpered quietly. "Are you crazy? Wouldn't she kill you?"
"I'm not crazy!" Twilight snapped. "You should be grateful that I'm even doing this! None of these ponies are even my friends after all!"
Fluttershy flinched. "But we are your friends, Twilight. All of us."
"Y-yeah," Rainbow Dash added. "And I know you're going to help us avenge Scootaloo! You're brave! You're strong! You're supportive!'
"Why, Twilight, wouldn't we be your friends? I mean, I know your fashion sense isn't quite the best, but still!"
"Twilight, you can trust us." Applejack said.
"Twilight..." Pinkie spoke with utter seriousness. "Why do you think Applejack told you to fall? Why Rainbow and Fluttershy caught you? Why Fluttershy saved you from the Manticore? Why I helped your face your fears? Why Rarity got us across the river? Why Rainbow never left you behind? And why Dashie convinced Nightmare Moon to spare your life? We've been behind you all the way Twilight. I don't apologise for my behaviour. I just think you're a fool not to believe in us."
Twilight took a deep breath. "Whatever you say. Melody, please help us." Melody sighed.
"No."
"Sugarcube, we won't tell anyone that you're a part of this." Applejack insisted.
"We won't!" Pinkie agreed. "Cross my heart and hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye!"
"Fine." Melody growled.
"Why, thank you!" Rarity beamed. "Heh... do you by any chance have any friends who may want to help us out?"
"Umm... I don't know."
"Tomorrow, try to introduce us to some of your pals. We'll go from there," Applejack replied. "We'll be leaving now, then!"
Twilight led the way out.
"I have no idea how well that even went!" Fluttershy whispered.
"We got ourselves an ally." Pinkie replied bluntly. "Now shut up."
"Pinkie!" Twilight warned. The land pony flattened her ears angrily and began to snort.
"There's no way Twilight can go back to her old place with the broken windows. She'll have to come and sleep with one of us."
"Not me!" Pinkie snapped. "I don't need anypony's company!"
"I'm sorry, Twilight, but I'm not one for sharing my room." Rarity said.
"I've got enough ponies at my place already." Applejack decided.
"And you can't fly, Twilight. So you can't come with me."
"That just leaves Fluttershy, then," Applejack stated. "Fluttershy, are you okay with letting Twilight stay at your place? It might be a little difficult with all the animals..."
"Umm, it'll be fine," Fluttershy replied. "I'd love Twilight to stay with me... anything to help her out."
"We'll come to Fluttershy's in the morning," Rainbow Dash decided. "Let's go home now." She flew straight into the sky.
"Goodbye!" Pinkie hissed, and she cantered away.
"Sweet dreams, Twilight!" Rarity left.
"See ya tomorrow." Applejack made her way home.
"Then, let's be going." Fluttershy whispered.
Eventually, they arrived at Fluttershy's cottage. Twilight was alarmed by the vast amount of animals. "Where am I meant to sleep?" Twilight asked, not keeping her exasperation out of her voice. "Heh... on the floor, I guess. I'm really sorry about this Twilight."
The unicorn didn't reply. She flopped down, exhausted on the floor, too tired to complain. She was really worried about Spike, and doubtful about her 'friends.' Plus Melody seemed very strange, and something made Twilight dislike her. Everything'll become clear in the morning. Twilight told herself. Then sleep claimed her.