//------------------------------// // Chapter 3 // Story: Geata na Déithe // by LinktheLazy //------------------------------// I own nothing, if you sue all you'll get is this cellphone. Ponyville oh Ponyville- Chapter 3 An endless see of countryside fanned out beneath Mirai but unlike her trip on the airship her current circumstances were not fascinating, they were terrifying. So terrifying her fingers were beginning to come close to denting the rim of the chariot that was being pulled through the air by a pair of winged guards. Her current predicament started when Twilight had left to perform her duties exactly as planned and Mirai had quickly made her excuses and tagged along. The thing she hadn't anticipated was Twilight’s epic freak out the day before, bursting into the archive and roaring through book after book in a frantic search for something. So here she was, staring down at the passing countryside in a death trap that was little more than a small wood and gold platform and all without having learned even the basics of unicorn magic. To put the cherry on top of the misery cake, Twilight and Spike had spent the entire trip arguing about some letter and giving the poor elf a headache to go along with her heart attack. “My dear Twilight, there is more to a young pony’s life than studying. So I’m sending you to supervise the preparations for the Summer Sun Celebration in this year’s location Ponyville.” Spike read off of a scroll shooting a smug look at Twilight. “And I have an even more essential task for you to complete, make some friends.” “Ugh,” Twilight moaned. “But we don't have time for this Spike. I feel bad about telling the Princess I couldn't oversee the Celebration but the fate of Equestria is at stake!” Spike smirked and waved the scroll in front of her nose. “Sorry Twilight but orders are orders.” Twilight grumbled before turning to the elf, a contemplative look on her face. “So Ambassador, you came to observe the day to day life of ponies in Equestria right?.” Mirai moaned an affirmative as her stomach decided on that moment to start doing back flips. Twilight’s face slowly went from contemplative to a smirk. “Then what better way then seeing for yourself how our festivals are put together. If, you’d like I can let you oversee the preparations today.” Before Mirai could answer the chariot set down at their destination with a small thump, jostling the sick elf and prompting another moan of misery. Ponies turned to watch as Mirai and her tree flung themselves out of the chariot the moment it slowed to a stop. “Great!” Twilight said as she hopped off the contraption. “Then I leave today's proceedings in your capable hooves.” “I don't know Twilight.” Spike said with a skeptical look. “Didn't you have to actually be taught how to oversee the Celebration?” Twilight frowned for a moment before perking up. “Yes I did, but you were there too Spike, so you're going with her.” “What?!” Spike shouted. “Come on Twilight, you can't just push your job off on us.” Spike motioned to Mirai who was shakily getting herself under control. Twilight sighed and averted her eyes. She really did feel guilty for this but there was no way she was going to just let the Nightmare Moon situation go. “Your right Spike. I would normally never do this, but this is the fate of Equestria we’re talking about!” She said stamping her hoof for emphasis. Lighting her horn Twilight levitated a scroll over to Spike. “This is the checklist I wrote up. Help the ambassador and I’ll go try to find anything on the Elements in the Library.” Spike snatched the scroll with a grumble of malcontent and marched over to stand beside Mirai who was contemplating her need to hurl into someone's shrubbery. Twilight nodded, “Alright, see you later Spike.” As she turned around she bumped right into a pink pony. “Oh excus-” “GAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!” The pony gasped and had some kind of midair spasm before zooming away. Twilight, Spike and a recovered Mirai all shared a look between themselves. “Well that was weird...” Twilight mumbled before walking off to find the Library. Mirai finally pulled herself up from where she had been getting her stomach under control and walked over to Spike, grabbing her pack out of the chariot as she passed. “So, I didn't really catch all of that. What happened?” Spike snorted, a green burst of flame coming from his nostrils. “Twilight bailed and left us her job,” he whined. “Wait, so we have to oversee your festival?” Mirai asked pointing between herself and Spike. “Looks like it.” Spike mumbled while he kicked at the dirt in irritation. Mirai turned a confused look to where the purple pony was walking away from them down the street. “Well, aside from it being kind of rude I don't mind.” She really didn't plan on getting anything really important done today anyway. She had to make her excuse look legitimate after all. So spending the day following Twilight around had been all that was on her agenda anyway. “Did she say why she had to leave?” Spike snorted again before taking off walking and unrolling the scroll Twilight gave him. “She's been on this kick about an ancient prophecy. Something about an evil mare trapped in the moon escaping tomorrow.” Mirai “hmm’d” in thought as she followed along behind him. “Well, if she really thinks there's something to that prophecy then it’d be worse if she didn't look into it. If something does happen tomorrow, you’d feel terrible knowing you stopped someone from investigating.” “I guess.” Spike grumbled as he read the scroll. “Looks like our first stop is Sweet Apple Acres to check on the food.” Mirai rubbed her stomach, still a little queasy from the ride. “Alright, just so long as I don't have to eat any of it, I’m still a little sick.” The trip to Sweet Apple Acres was a thankfully pleasant one. Mirai still couldn't quite get over how safe this entire world felt. The ever present danger of the roads and lands she had traveled was completely absent here and she relished it. Inhaling deeply Mirai closed her eyes as they walked, feeling out her surroundings with her other senses as she went. ‘This world is great!’ She thought to herself as a smile crept onto her face. She didn't have to constantly be on high alert, didn't have to keep herself awake for months on end to avoid being dragged away in the night to a fate worse than death. She shuddered slightly as the few close calls she had reared up in her memory. But the quiet near solitude of the road quickly soothed her worries and she was soon back to having a content smile on her face. “Well someone is relaxed.” Spike muttered as he walked along, his foul mood having only gotten worse. Mirai focused a lazy eye on him before sighing and coming to a stop. If the little dragon was just going to pout the whole way then she was going to do something about it before he ruined her day. “Come on.” She said gesturing towards herself with her hands. “What?” Spike grumbled. “You're used to being carried by Twilight right? I saw you two around the castle all the time.” She made the gesture again and the little dragon finally caught on. He walked forward with a curious look on his face before being picked up. “Woah!” He cried in surprise as he was grabbed and lifted onto her shoulders. “There.” Mirai said continuing on their way. “Now will you stop being so grumpy? The walk is too nice to let it be ruined by having to listen to a bad attitude.” “Sorry.” Spike muttered doing his best not to scratch her forehead with his claws as he held on tight. The rest of the walk was done in silence until they came to an arched gate with Sweet Apple Acres emblazoned across it alongside a carved apple motif. “YeeeeHawww!” An orange mare in a strange hat called out as she violently kicked one of the plethora of trees that stood around in rows. Mirai winced and glanced down to . The treant seemed to curl in on himself with sympathetic pain. The fruits that hung in the tree were shaken loose by the kick and all happened to fall perfectly into waiting baskets. The mare smugly cocked one leg over the other and stared at her handiwork until she spotted them coming up the path to her home. She watched Mirai warily as she walked up and set Spike at her feet. “*ahem* Hello.” Mirai called, waving at the mare. “I’m ambassador Mirai Si’Maire of the house Ancea. I’m in Equestria as the representative of the Kingdom of Eogan, but I’m here as a favor to a mare named Twilight Sparkle, who was supposed to be overseeing the Summer Sun Celebration. Something came up and she asked me to fill in for her.” Mirai smiled nervously down at the orange mare who kept up her scrutinizing gaze. Suddenly the mare’s face brightened before she held out a hoof in greeting. Mirai looked at it for a moment before grasping it and giving it a shake. “Well that was mighty nice of ya ambassador! It's a pleasure making your acquaintance; I’m Applejack.” The mare said gesturing to herself. “We don't get you fancy schmancy, government types visitin tha farm very often. If there's anything ah can do to help just let me know.” The elf’s smile lost its trepidation. “Actually I needed to check on the food for the festival tomorrow.” Mirai said waving a hand towards the rows of fruit trees. “Ah, sure pumpkin...” Applejack said as her eyes followed Mirai’s hand with interest, the anatomy fascinating to the farmer. “If’n ya don't mind me askin, what are ye anyway?” “Elf.” Mirai answered simply pointing to one of her prominent ears. Not that a pony would really understand that her ears were her most distinctive feature, at least out of the ones that were even visible. Sadly even among her own kind the slight droop to her ears was uncommon and was seen as a hit to her attractiveness. AJ nodded before dashing off to ring some kind of metal triangle with a rod, generating a loud clanging. “Soups on everypony!” She called. A heartbeat passed before a herd of ponies seemed to come out of everywhere, running hard for the only table. If it wasn't for Mirai’s quick reflexes snatching Spike and leaping to the side, they would have both been flattened by the stampede. “Whew.” Mirai exhaled in relief, wiping sweat from her brow. As she turned to follow the ponies she spotted a trampled tree lying in the path. “Oh no, !” The treant sluggishly pulled itself from the path and weaved drunkenly as it tried to walk towards her. The ponies from before watched with nervous fascination as the tree seemed to snap itself out of its stupor and scrabble across the ground. “Is that a walkin’ tree?” AJ asked as she nervously backed up a step. “Mighty unsettling, like somethin outa the Everfree.” “He’s a treant.” Mirai said as she channeled a bit of magic into the abused plant. “He’s a nature spirit. We use them for protection back home.” The ponies seemed to calm and a tiny voice exclaimed, “Wow, that's so cool!” before an equally tiny pony dashed forward out of the crowd and right up to . Mirai, as suddenly dumbstruck as she was by the sheer concentrated adorable that was the little pony with her yellowish coat and red hair bow, had the presence of mind to mutter, “Be nice!” To before the temperamental treant could make an ass of himself. The little pony waved a hoof at the treant and, largely thanks to Mirai’s warning, it replied with waving a root in the air. “Now don't pester tha poor thing Apple Bloom.” AJ said, pulling the little pony back by her tail. “It t’aint polite. Sides, foods gonna get cold.” The ponies all seemed to settle down after the elf and Spike took their seats at a low table covered with a yellow plaid tablecloth. “Now why don't ah introduce ya’ll to tha Apple family!” AJ said with a wide sweeping hoof gesture. What followed was a series of ponies coming up to the table and having their name called out before depositing a dish on the table. The heap of food reached towering proportions as the list went on till it finally seemed to wind down. “Big Macintosh, ya’ll already met Apple Bloom, and Granny Smith. Up and at em Granny Smith, we got guests!” Mirai was momentarily surprised when a grey, green, and shriveled pony walked up on creaky legs mumbling. “Soups up ah’ her- ah’ comin.” The truly ancient Granny Smith was the very first elderly pony she had seen and the elf could spot many of the same maladies that only the most ancient of humans had to deal with. Of course it was only thanks to Ailill that elves stayed young until their bodies gave out and Mirai wasn't sure why she had expected ponies to be similar. “Ya’ll are welcome at Sweet Apple Acres any time Ambassador!” Applejack said with a smile. “Why, it's almost like you're already part of the family...” Applejack spared them another glance. "...well sorta.” The elf couldn't help but smile at that. “Thank you AJ, this is certainly one of the warmest welcomes I’ve ever had.” Mirai snatched up a fritter and took a bite as the gathered Apple family let out cheers. The elf chewed once, twice as she gained a far away look in her eyes. AJ shared concerned glances with her family as the fritter dropped out of Mirai’s hand as she stared off into space. “Uh, ya’ll alright there sugar cube?” Spike waved a claw in front of her face to no effect. “Um, I think the food broke her Applejack.” The Apple family murmured worriedly and tried fruitlessly to wake their guest. “Foods all taken care of. Next is weather.” Spike said as he walked, his nose buried in the scroll. Mirai followed close behind, still in a daze as she devoured the last piece of apple pie out of a pie pan. When it was gone she proceeded to lick any of the delicious filling she could get out of the bottom. She was fully aware of how she looked but her mind refused to let her think about it at this particular moment. Sugary treats were few and far between in Eogan. The plants that produced it were rare and after that most of the farmland had to be used for staple crops. Frivolities like the pie or any of the other deserts she had just inhaled were extremely rare and she was determined to enjoy every sweet sweet crumb. Spike sighed as he watched her make herself look like an idiot before turning back to the scroll. “There's supposed to be a pegasus pony named Rainbow Dash clearing the clouds...” He glanced up at the sky, noting the numerous puffs of cloud that still marred the sky. “Doesn't look like she's done it yet though.” “What?” Mirai asked as her mind began to actually work now that her sweet treat was no more. She held out the pie pan and searched for any missed morsel with a sad look in her eyes. Spike was just turning around to tell her to cut it out with the pan when there was a loud ‘whoosh’ and a resonating ‘CLAAAAAAANNNNNG’. Spike closed his eyes as he turned around, hoping that what he thought had happened was, in fact, his imagination but no such luck as when he opened his eyes he was greeted with an unhappy elf covered in mud from the puddle she had fallen into. Not to mention an unconscious rainbow maned pony, her face buried in a perfect impression of it in the pie pan. “Ugh,” Mirai moaned as she tried to get the muck off of her clothes and out of her hair. She stood up out of the puddle and turned an angry glare at the unconscious prismatic pony. “Oh no, your not getting out of this that easy!” She pulled the mare’s head out of the dented pan and tossed her back to the ground, casting one of her more powerful healing spells. The mare stirred with a groan, getting to her wobbly feet. “Oh my face!” She moaned, clutching at her bruises. The elf ‘humphed’ angrily. “You’ll get a lot worse if you don't get off your backside and get those clouds cleared.” The mare got a challenging glint in her eye as she lifted into the air to glare at Mirai. “Oh yeah? And who are you to tell me what to do you... you... thing!” Mirai took a step forward, getting right up in the mare’s face before holding her hand out to Spike. Figuring she wanted the scroll in his claws he handed it over. The elf let the scroll unroll as she smirked at the pony. “Are you one ‘Rainbow Dash’?” The elf asked as she looked over the paper. The mare snorted in anger and hovered up higher. “That’s me! Fastest flyer in Equestria!” Mirai smirked as she turned the paper around so that the pegasus could see. “Well then ‘Rainbow Dash’ as of this morning and until the start of the Summer Sun Celebration I am your boss!” “What?!” The mare paled and drifted down to get a better look at the scroll. “That's just... what?!” “Now.” Mirai said rolling the scroll back up and handing it to Spike. “Get to it, I want to see you working immediately and no stopping until the sky is completely clear.” “Aww come on, I was practicing for the Wonder Bolts!” Rainbow complained. “Now~,” Mirai said with a suddenly sweet lilt to her voice. “Or I’ll see if I can beat this pan back into shape-” The elf lifted the pan so that Rainbow’s face imprint was clearly visible. “-the same way it got dented in the first place.” Instead of replying Rainbow Dash made a quick exit and started clearing clouds. Mirai planted her still mud covered hands on her hips and shot the fleeing mare a smirk. “You’re scary, do you know that?” Spike deadpanned. “Yes, and thank you for the compliment Spike.” Mirai said in that same creepily sweet tone. “Now, I think I saw a river somewhere, I need to wash off.” Twilight entered the library with a huff of relief. Looking around in the dark she found a light switch and flicked it on. Rows and rows of shelves covered in books lined the wall. Twilight could only hope there was something here that could tell her how to find the Elements of Harmony. “Elements, Elements.” Twilight muttered as she levitated various books to glance at their table of contents. Each one came back a negative. Twilight groaned with frustration as the books kept coming and each time, nothing. “I'll search this entire library if I have to!” She shouted to absolutely nopony. “Even if I have to hunt all night!” “Wow really? Sounds important.” Came a voice from behind her. “It is very important. The fate of Equestria could rest on me finding any information on the Elements.” Twilight said as she moved on to another shelf. “One of these books has to have something!” “Oooooh, you mean like this book?” A book was passed under Twilight’s nose. “Yes... That is a book, the information could be in any one of these!” Twilight said pushing aside the offered book. “What about this one?” Another book found its way under her nose. Twilight pushed this one aside too. “It's not in that one either.” ‘What about this one, oh! oh! or this one. This? Thisthisthisthisthisthisthisthisthisthisthisthisthis.” Twilight was suddenly buried by a huge flood of tomes. It took her mind a moment to catch up to the situation and when it finally did she felt anger boiling up within. She shook off the books covering her head and looked around the library until she spotted the perpetrator; The pink pony from before. Twilight summoned the harshest glare a pony could manage, somewhere around mildly scalding, but before she could put it to use the pink pony held up a golden bound tome. “The Elements of Harmony: A reference Guide.” The pony said reading off the cover. Twilight froze looking at the book before leaping out of the pile of books she was buried in and lunging for the pony. “Give me that!” The pink pony bounced away still holding onto the precious book. “Nope, not until you ask nicely~.” “AHHH!” Twilight shouted a war cry before running at the pony again. “Give that to me you pink menace!” The bouncing pink pony frowned before grinning and zooming out the door. “Nope, you have to catch me first!” Twilight charged after her, leaving the library empty. A loud splash echoed over the quietly babbling stream, a thrown rock having momentarily disturbed its serenity. Spike groaned and leaned back on a boulder, painfully bored. “Are you done yet?” He called to the dark area beneath the small footbridge that provided a way across the stream. “NO!” Came an irate voice from the shadows under the bridge. “And you complaining isn't going to make this go any faster!” Spike rolled his eyes and rolled over on the sun-warmed rock. He was beginning to doze by the time he heard footsteps making their way through the water. Spike perked up a little at hearing their unique rhythm, not many creatures had a similar gait to himself and it was a little interesting hearing the difference. Turning his head he was met with his eleven minder for the day... or mindie, he wasn't really sure on that detail, drying her hair on her blanket and wearing a set of small white garments. Her skin was a mostly uniform pale color with the only major variations being a pair of dark blue marks close to the center of her chest just above the upper white garment and a series of angular markings down the center of her back. He was momentarily confused when she began putting her damp green tunic on over the other clothes but he eventually just snorted and decided questioning it would take too much energy. “What's next on the list?” She eventually asked as she slipped on the thick brown outer layer of her outfit. Spike grumbled and pulled out the scroll without rolling over. “Decorations.” he mumbled lazily. “Well Let's hurry.” Mirai muttered, hoisting Spike onto her shoulders and taking off back towards town. The walk was just as peaceful as she’d come to expect from this world and she was surprised when a few of the ponies around town actually waved to her as she passed. She was confused about the sudden friendliness of the town folk until she spotted a few ponies from the Apple family who had come into town to chat with the ponies here. Their destination finally loomed into view at the end of the street. The town hall was covered in banners and ribbons giving it a festive air. “Well the outside seems good... I think. Spike, how's it look?” Mirai said, giving her shoulder a little shake to rouse the snoring dragon. Spike mumbled something and gave a drowsy thumbs up. Mirai grinned, restraining herself from laughing at the poor kid and walked in. The interior of the Hall was even more ostentatious than the exterior. The place was decked with ribbons strung between every rafter in a geometric design that made the hall feel much more grand than it probably did otherwise. Mirai shook the sleeping dragon again to get his attention but he seemed content to sleep on. Frowning, Mirai picked him up off of her shoulder and set him on his feet. Spike immediately tipped over and smacked face first into the ground. “Wahzzat?” Spike shot to his feet and looked around in a daze before his eyes fixed on something on the other side of the room. Mirai grinned and gestured around the room. “Welcome back to the land of the living. Now, how's the place look Spike?” “Beautiful...” Spike muttered, swaying as if in a daze. “I don't know about beautiful, it's not really my style.” Mirai said, slowly twisting a lock of her hair, searching for the right words. “I suppose it must be good though if you like it so much.” “Not the decorations; Her!” Spike said pointing towards a white mare with a stylish purple mane. Mirai swore she could see tiny hearts in his eyes as he stared. The elf smirked and painted a scowl over her face. “Spike!” She cried angrily. Spike looked up from his ogling and eyed her warily. “I can't believe you staring at a pony like that. Didn't Twilight ever teach you how to respect a lady?” Her scowl morphed back into a smirk. “Or that acting all lovesick is not how you're going to impress her.” Spike looked at her like she had just grown another head, and that head just started contradicting everything the first one said. “What?” “Well you want to impress her right?” Mirai whispered, pulling Spike into a conspiratorial huddle. The little dragon glanced from side to side, nervously searching for eavesdroppers before nodding vigorously. “Well then you have to act the right way.” Mirai said, turning Spike around so he was facing the white unicorn. “You have to be confident.” “Yeah, confident.” Spike said, drinking in everything the elf said with an excited look in his eyes. “And you have to be smooth.” “Smooth! Wait...” Spike tried in vain for a few moments to get his spines to lay flat but eventually just shrugged at Mirai helplessly. Mirai just shook her head, trying hard not to laugh. “And last but most important you have to flatter her. Women love to be flattered.” Spike looked excited. “I’m good at that one!” He whispered back at her. Mirai grinned and, seeing as how the mare had spotted them and was on her way over She patted Spike on the back. “Then go get em!” She said with a thumbs up. Spike curiously returned the gesture before looking back towards the pretty pony and walking forward in an exaggerated swagger. “Why hello madam.” Spike said boisterously, dipping at the waist in a bow. “I just happened to notice how beautifully decorated the hall was. Did you do all this yourself?” “Why yes.” The white unicorn said as she looked up and swelled with pride in her work. “Allow me to introduce myself. I am Rarity, Ponyville’s resident fashion designer.” She said with the pony version of a curtsy. “How can I help you this afternoon?” Spike looked side to side, thinking of something to say before glancing back to Mirai and perking up. “Well might I just say that you have done a fantastic job.” He said with an easy smile. “But we are here on business, I am Spike, royally appointed escort to the ambassador while she is visiting Ponyville.” Spike stepped aside and gestured to the elf. Mirai shot him a surprised look before the smirk returned to her face. ‘Making yourself look better by associating yourself with someone important, clever dragon.’ Rarity gasped and took a half step back, her eyes shifting between Spike and the elf. Figuring she’d play along Mirai returned Rarity’s curtsy with one of her own. “It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance Miss Rarity. I am ambassador Mirai Si’Maire of the house Ancea. Representing the kingdom of Eogan while in Equestria. But today I’m filling in for the overseer of the Summer Sun Celebration.” “Oh goodness! A real ambassador here!” Rarity straightened up so quickly all four of her hooves left the ground for a moment. “It's marvelous to meet you, oh to think of the exotic places you must have been! The glamour of meeting royalty all over the world! Why you must have seen so many different fashions!” At this Rarity’s eyes fell to examine the elf’s outfit, her face falling as she took in the, travel pack, the damp faded green tunic and finally the leather armor that covered the ambassadors barrel, and feet. “Oh my. Your current... Ensemble does not do your station justice.” Mirai looked down at herself and frowned. “These are my traveling clothes. I did have to journey here alone.” She said, running a finger along the edge of her belt buckle. A silver plate glinted in the light, its surface expertly carved with the four pointed black star, a symbol of her family and her Goddess. “Of course, of course.” Rarity said politely. The unicorn averted her gaze for a moment until the stitching in the leather caught her eye. Through the middle of the garment was an artistic depiction of a river with waves forming a ribbon of texture. Around the margins of the river were strange geometric shapes formed, not out of stitched thread but gouged out of the leather and then filled with a dark material. The garment in all was incredibly simple, consisting of two very wide and very thick pieces that wound over the shoulder and then over the side. The two pieces crossed in the middle giving the barrel a double layer of protection. “Such detail for traveling clothes... What do those shapes mean?” She asked, pointing a hoof to the strange characters along the edge. Mirai looked down where Rarity was pointing and grinned. She passed a finger over the row, channeling a bit of magic into the one at the end. “These are my own addition.” She said as she pulled her silver dagger out of its sheath. Along the blade were a set of similar carvings that went unpowered. “Watch.” Mirai plunged the dagger towards her own chest with a sharp movement causing Rarity to gasp in horror. The point of the knife was stopped dead about an inch above the leather for a few seconds before the spell sputtered out. Mirai smirked at the look on the unicorn’s face before replacing her dagger. “Shield runes, though they only last for a short time.” “Amazing!” Rarity said, an excited glint in her eye. “You said you added these yourself?” Mirai nodded. “This is a very early design. My later works have much better capabilities.” The unicorn tapped her hoof in thought, an idea brewing in her mind. “I have the most wonderful idea!” Rarity hopped on her hooves again. “Perhaps we could spark a bit of a partnership between you and I? I’m sure a great many ponies in dangerous occupations would scramble to have garments both fashionable and protective!” Mirai “Hmm’d” at the idea. A great deal of money would surely help with her mission. Materials never came cheap and could sometimes be quite rare but the time she might have to put in to make so many pieces might be too demanding. The elf’s foot tapped as she thought before she finally held out a hand to the unicorn. “Ok Rarity, it's a deal.” Rarity’s smile grew wider and she took Mirai’s hand and shook it enthusiastically. “Oh thank you, I know this will go over just beautifully!” Mirai’s face remained serious as she held up a finger to stop the unicorn’s celebrations. “On one condition.” Rarity’s eyes narrowed slightly as she waited for the other horseshoe to drop. “They are single pieces by custom order only. My methods are intricate and time consuming, and I won't have the time to do large runs. Rarity’s smile returned though tempered. “Of course, that is perfectly reasonable. Will you be staying in Ponyville? How would you like me to contact you when we have an order?” Mirai nodded. “Oh I’ll be around, just come and find me when we have work.” Mirai stepped outside to let the little dragon do his thing. Spike cleared his throat and bowed. “Farewell madam Rarity. I’ll look forward to seeing your work on display tomorrow.” The unicorn smiled and brushed his spines back with a hoof. “Oh thank you, you're quite the little gentleman.” Spike seemed to float out of the door with hearts in his eyes and the goofiest of all grins on his face. When he finally touched down next to Mirai the elf looked at him with a sad look in her eyes. “What?” Spike asked, his euphoria wearing off and a look of concern coming over him. Mirai just shook her head and turned to walk away. “Friendzoned...” “What's that mean?” Spike asked, following after her. Mirai just shook her head and sighed. “Seriously... what's it mean?” The elf continued to ignore him, walking away morosely. “What’s it mean!?” “Uuuuugh” “Come on Spike it's not the end of the world.” “Says you...” Mirai frowned at the suddenly very depressed little dragon draping himself over her shoulders like some kind of shawl. The entire trip from Rarity’s to their next destination had been filled with complaining ever since Spike had figured out what ‘Friendzoned’ meant. “I’m not going to keep carrying you if you're going to moan the whole time.” “Fiiiine...” Spike groaned before sighing and pulling out the scroll to check on their next pony. “Next is music, should be just over there.” He pointed off towards the edge of town behind a hedge before curling up to take a nap. Mirai nodded and set off searching for anything that sounded vaguely like a tune. Only a few minutes passed before Mirai’s ears perked at the sound of a melody being chirped out by chorus of strangely coordinated birds. It was almost eerie how the creatures held time well enough to performed a musical piece. The behavior seemed to be thanks to a butter yellow Pegasus with a pink mane that, as Mirai watched, flew up and delivered the kindest critique imaginable to a bird that had been out of tune. Mirai stepped forward, the bushes giving away her approach and causing the pony to... Mirai didn't have any other word for it... squeak in fear. “Uh... Hi.” Mirai said, raising a hand in greeting. “Oh, goodness you frightened me.” The mare said, turning around. Mirai blinked. The little butter colored pony, as cute as all the ponies were, had to be the most adorable thing she had ever seen. The mare looked up at her, at first with a timid expression but that was quickly overrode by curiosity. “Oh my, I’ve never seen anything like you before... can I ask what you are... that is... if you don't mind?” The little pony hovered up into the air to give Mirai a looking over, putting her hooves this place and that. She seemed particularly interested in her hands, the way they bent and flexed. “I’m an elf.” Mirai finally answered, giving her the same scant information she had given Applejack earlier. “Oh, I’ve never met an elf before.” The pony said, running Mirai’s messy hair over one of her hooves. Mirai shot the pony a questioning look at the somewhat intimate contact but the mare seemed ignore her trepidation to continue her examination. The dragon picked this moment to uncurl himself from his napping spot around her shoulders and look the hovering pony in the eye. “Hey-” Spike began, about to tell the pony to cut it out when he noticed how her face lit up when she looked at him. “Oh my gosh a baby dragon!” The pony said as she seemed to begin to buzz with excitement. “I’ve always wanted to see a baby dragon!” The mare snatched him from the elf’s shoulders and held him out to be inspected. “Uh... Hi.” He said, unknowingly mimicking his temporary mode of transportation. “Oh, he talks! I didn't know dragons could talk!” The mare drew him in closer making him blush at the sudden closeness. “I’m Fluttershy, what's your name?” “Uh, Spike.” He answered lamely. “Oh, that's such a cute name!” Fluttershy gushed reddening the dragon’s cheeks further. Spike’s mental processes ground to a halt as they processed the ideas now running through his mind. The mare was beautiful and had an extremely appealing air of all encompassing kindness about her. But on the other hand he was still kind of hoping Rarity would change her mind and give him a chance. Mirai shot the dragon a smirk, “Looks like someone found an admirer~.” Spike shot the elf a warning glare when Fluttershy seemed to suddenly clam up. “Come on Mirai! Don't mess this up for me!” he hissed. “Alright alright, I promise I’ll leave you to your business.” The elf waved him off before turning back toward the town. “Now that our job is done I’m going to go see Twilight about her prophecy thing. Come and find one of us when your done.” “Alright.” Spike said a little hesitantly as he was hoisted a little higher in Fluttershy’s hooves. Mirai walked a little ways waving over her shoulder before she turned around with a smirk on her face. “Oh, and Fluttershy was it?” She called back. “Umm... yes?” The timid pegasus answered in an almost inaudible voice. “Don't break the dragon, he's on loan.” The mare eeped and nearly dropped Spike as Mirai turned away and resumed her walk back towards town giggling to herself. “There you are!” Twilight shouted at a seemingly cornered pink pony. The unicorn advanced on the pink menace slowly, watching for any tricks or the strange illogical ability to seemingly vanish from anywhere only to reappear in the strangest places. But she was trapped in an alley now and there was no way Twilight was going to give her the chance to disappear again. The pony mumbled around the book in her mouth waving at something behind Twilight. “Oh no, you’re not getting away that easy. Do you really expect me to fall for that one?” The mare mumbled some more before bolting into a flying leap over the top of the unicorn. Twilight’s horn flared, there was no way she was letting her escape with that book! Twilight vanished in a flash of light only to reappear directly in the path of the pink menace’s landing. “HA!” Twilight shouted in triumph only to be bowled over by the very mare she was trying to catch. The pink one scrambled to her hooves first,making a break for the alley entrance and blowing right by a surprised elf. “Woah!” Mirai shouted hopping backwards to avoid the speeding pony. “Watch where you're going!” Twilight drug herself to the entrance and flopped down onto the road totally out of breath. ‘What happened to you?” Mirai asked earning her a stink eye from the exhausted unicorn. “I found the book.” Twilight wheezed. “But that pink mare stole it and has been leading me all over town. I’ve never run this much in my life!” The elf turned to look around but couldn't see any sign of the book thief. “Well it looks like you lost her for now.” Twilight ground her teeth in frustration. “Oh if I ever catch her I’ll... I’ll... say something rash!” Mirai smirked at the pony before shrugging and putting her hands behind her head, relaxing as she looked around at the street full of ponies. “Well, we aren't likely to find her now.” “There has to be a way to find her! I need that book!” Twilight got back to her hooves and started towards the library. “Maybe the library has got extras in the basement or something.” Mirai followed behind Twilight as she muttered to herself about various “backup plans” that slowly increased in complexity and absurdity as they went. She was in the middle of something involving a trebuchet and sleep potion laced muffins when she paused and looked toward her eleven companion. “Hey where's Spike? Didn't I leave him with you?” “Hmm?” Mirai hummed in response. “I left him to be babied by some pegasus who thought he was cute. Little guy spent nearly the whole day crushing on various ponies. Little lady killer that one.” “What!?” Twilight shouted looking alarmed. “You just left him? He’s just a baby!” Mirai shrugged. “He sure didn't act like a baby. Anyway, I told him to come and find us when he was ready.” Twilight tumbled about irresponsible elves until they reached the library. The unicorn pushed open the door with a hoof only to be met with darkness beyond the narrow beam of light the open door allowed in. “That's strange.” Twilight said as she took a few steps in and fumbled for the light switch. “I’m sure I left the light on earlier.” Mirai took a few steps into the room and just as she was opening her mouth to speak the light flicked on and a horde of ponies leapt out from behind various furniture. “Surprise!!!” Twilight and Mirai both yelped in fear at the sudden loud noise and ended up tripping on their own appendages. Both mare and elf lay in a pile on the floor when the pink pony from before hopped up to them. “Hi! I’m Pinkie Pie and welcome to your very own welcome to Ponyville welcome party!” She cried happily, throwing her front hooves up in the air. Twilight plastered a nervous smile on her face as she got to her hooves. “Ah ha ha, that's great. You happen to have that book you took earlier? It's really important.” Her smile twitched in a concerning manner as Pinkie hopped up and down on her hooves. “That's right!” Pinkie said, pointing a hoof over toward a gold bound book sitting sedately on a table. “Sorry I had to take it earlier but how else was I supposed to set up the party?” Twilight’s smile twitched again at the idea that the pink pony had kept her on a chase through Ponyville all day while somehow simultaneously decorating the library for a party. She pushed the thought out of her mind and quickly made her way over to the book and levitated it upstairs. Mirai watched after her with a concerned look before a certain blue and rainbow mare huffed from somewhere near the ceiling. “Humph, what was her problem?” “Oh, just researching the only way to save us all in case an ancient evil mare who has been sealed in the moon for a thousand years happens to decide to crash the festival tomorrow.” Mirai answered casually. “Oh...”